The purpose of this project is to redefine the cultural values attached to Built Heritage to promote cross-cultural understanding and co-existence of different cultural identities, to develop common guidelines to assist in the retention of the built heritage, and to promote intercultural dialogue through the exchange of knowledge, improved opportunity for trans-national mobility and dissemination of information within the region of SE Europe to incorporate Romania, Hungary, Serbia (Kosovo), Croatia, and Albania.

Aims:

• To promote cultural understanding and reconciliation in SE Europe through the mechanism of regeneration of cultural heritage.
• To celebrate the diversity of cultural heritage through strong cross-border interaction
• To encourage inter-cultural dialogue and promotion of trans-national mobility within the cultural heritage sector.
• To facilitate international co-operation and exchange of knowledge and expertise in order to identify and maintain a major cultural asset.
• To create a network of expertise which can be mobilised within the SE Europe Region.

Activities of the project
1. Preparation of a SITUATION REPORT for each country, to define what constitutes the cultural heritage, to promote a cross-cultural and transnational understanding of how the built heritage has contributed to the cultural development of society
2. Common GUIDELINES was produced to enable each country to identify and address cultural and social problems related to Heritage at Risk.
3. INTERNATIONAL CRAFTS SKILLS FESTIVALS were developed to celebrate and disseminate the cultural skills of the region, within the area of South East Europe
4. “HERITAGE SURGERIES” will be established across the region to provide advice to owners/operators active in the field of cultural built heritage, and to assist in open cross-border dialogue as a vehicle for promoting good practice in heritage development to demonstrate the contribution which heritage can make to the diversity of life in Europe.

The project involved NGO’s, specialist experts, universities and local authorities, building owners and users from each of the participant countries, thus developing cross-border cultural understanding and a pool of expertise which could be made available throughout the region.

Project Team

• The Project was led by the Transylvania Trust (Romania) who has extensive experience in Heritage assessment and practical crafts skills training through their work at the Built Heritage Conservation Training Centre at Bánffy Castle Bontida, Romania. The philosophy and principals of cross culture co-operation practiced at the Centre was projected into the other participating countries and adapted to local/regional needs. Those principles relating to heritage development, education and practice, transfer of know-how, interaction of cultures, and promotion of mobility through networking, have been developed over a number of years since 1999, through the implementation of international projects supported by international institutions and funders (ICOMOS, World Monument Fund, The Getty Grant Foundation, the British Headley Trust and the European Union). In addition to the Transylvania Trust the project Team included a major NGO from each country, active in the field of Cultural Development through Heritage Conservation. Collaboration of this team, in association with Cultural Ministries and Universities, brings together a high level of expertise which can significantly influence the future of heritage understanding, restoration, and management in the S E European Region.
• In addition to the Transylvania Trust the Project Team incorporates three other NGO’s operating within the region, as well as a governmental institution:
  • Cultural Heritage without Borders: This Swedish based NGO has been active in Serbia (Kosovo) since 2001 dealing specifically with cultural heritage management, organisation and institution building, (through international dialogue and its network of international expertise).
  • The Dubrovnik Preservation Foundation has been operative in Croatia since 2003 and has developed programmes in raising awareness, research and training, and network development within the cultural heritage sector working closely with the Croation MInistry of Culture.
  • The Butrint Foundation, is based in the UK but operates primarily in Albania. It has been established since 1993 and has developed expertise in practical training through international co-operation, the promotion of cultural values through education and raising aware ness in the cultural heritage sector through its network activities and international promotional work.

This strong NGO base with extensive experience in cultural heritage promotion; development through raising international awareness; and extending mobility through training and exchanges of experts and expertise, is backed by the KOH (The National Office of Cultural Heritage, Hungary), thus bringing a strong institutional/government base to the team with its own extensive contacts in S E Europe.

http://www.see-heritageatrisk.eu.

Sponsor: European Union, Culture Programme