As of April 2023, the European Commission’s Expert Group on Cultural Heritage will have a new sub-group dedicated to the safeguarding of cultural heritage in Ukraine. The sub-group shall be composed of a maximum of 25 members who shall meet three times a year over the next three years.
Its main tasks will include the exchange of experiences and best practices on the prevention of damage and recovery of cultural heritage in conflict contexts that may be relevant for Ukraine as well as advising the European Commission on the prevention and recovery of cultural heritage in Ukraine.
As stated in the 2021 Council Conclusions on EU Approach to Cultural Heritage in conflicts and crises, cultural heritage can be instrumentalised as a trigger for and a target in conflicts and crises. Its protection should therefore be part of a conflict sensitive approach throughout all phases of conflicts and crises.
The creation of this sub-group is in line with one of the actions of the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026, to “preserve cultural heritage and empower local Cultural and Creative Sectors in Ukraine”.
Deadline for applications: 25 April 2023
The sub-group shall be composed of up to 25 members chaired by a representative of DG EAC. The group is expected to meet up to three times per year in order to discuss matters related to the prevention, preparedness and recovery of Ukrainian cultural heritage.
The call is open to organisations and individuals in a personal capacity. Applications must include a cover letter explaining the candidate’s motivation for responding to this call and the contribution he/she could make to the group, as well as the relevant annexes duly completed.
The deadline for applications is 25 April 2023. Applications can be sent by email or by post. They can also be delivered by hand to the DG EAC premises in Brussels.
You can read the full call for applications and download the required application documents here: https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/calls-application?lang=en
240 cultural sites destroyed in Ukraine
According to UNESCO statistics, 240 cultural sites have been damaged as of 24 February 2023: 107 religious sites, 21 museums, 89 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 19 monuments, 12 libraries.
Since the beginning of the war in February 2022, the European Commission has taken several action in support of Ukrainian cultural heritage, including a financial aid of 10€ million through the different financial tools at its disposal and ongoing exchanges held with Ukrainian Minister for Culture Mr Oleksandr Tkachenko in the framework of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (EYCS).
Destroyed cultural heritage in Ukraine. Source: Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine
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