PROCULTHER-NET Training module on the protection of cultural heritage at risk of disaster

The PROCULTHER-NET Capacity Building Programme: Protecting Cultural Heritage Course - PCH

PROCULTHER-NET launches an advanced training module for providing specialized knowledge on how to deal with cultural heritage protection in emergencies in line with the European standards. This is addressed to disaster risk managers and cultural heritage protection experts from European Union Member States and Union Civil Protection Mechanism Participating States.

In June 2022, PROCULTHER-NET conducted a survey with the objective of collecting contributions, expectation and concerns from stakeholders involved in the protection of cultural heritage at risk of disaster. The analysis of the results facilitated the mapping of stakeholder interest in the capacity-building process to be carried out by the project within Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network, also contributing to the collection of information and feedback on the themes and approaches to be favoured by the PROCULTHER-NET thematic community.

Indeed, the survey revealed that although the great majority of respondents has a strong interest in the development of training sessions dedicated to cultural heritage protection, considered one of the most appropriate ways to ensure a good level of knowledge exchange, only one third of the countries covered have training initiatives in place on this topic. In addition, the project Feasibility Study showed how important it is to undertake training and exercise activities focusing on issues such as the legal framework, policies and planning, international exchange and support, human resources but also from the point of view of the objectives of the Knowledge Network, which, according to 81% of respondents, should play a role in providing training programs on cultural heritage and disaster risk management.

This is the ratio behind the PROCULTHER-NET capacity building activities: in March 2023 the Project is proposing an advanced training programme aimed to increase UCPM interoperability standards by reinforcing know-how transfer and learning processes on the inclusion of cultural heritage protection in the disaster risk management phases at European and national level. The training is addressed to cultural heritage protection and disaster risk management actors from Union Civil Protection Mechanism Member and Participating States – UCPM MS/PS and aims at reinforcing knowledge and skills to allow cascading know-how transfer on issues related to the protection of cultural heritage at risk of disaster in line with the European standards. In particular, at the heart of this initiative is the intention to increase the capacity of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism to support, upon request, Countries overwhelmed by disasters also in the field of cultural heritage protection. Furthermore, the training has also the objective of ensuring an effective exchange between all participants and promoting the definition of synergies able to reinforce the basis of a thematic community focused on the protection of disaster-prone cultural heritage.

The course programme will be structured on the document built on the lessons learnt and best practices adopted by the PROCULTHER project (1) in this field: the “Key Elements of a European Methodology to Address the Protection of Cultural Heritage during Emergencies” that provides for a set of elements to advance preparedness and response activities to include cultural heritage safeguard in all disaster risk management processes. The training module will deal with issues such as the institutional and legal framework for civil protection and cultural heritage, as well as practical and operational issues related to missions within the UCPM framework, providing an in-dept focus on techniques and measures for securing cultural heritage. Finally, the validation of the course will be ensured, together with the participation of a practical drill, by a final multiple-choice test consisting of questions related to the whole training programme.

Course dates

• 6 to 10 March
• 20 to 24 March

In order to enable the widest possible participation, two identical cycles of the course are organised: the first will be held from 6 to 10 March, the second from 20 to 24 March 2023. The training course consists of 5 face-to-face days, each lasting about 8 hours, and some additional hours conducted in virtual mode. The in-presence sessions will be held in Italy and PROCULTHER-NET project will cover travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses for all participants.

UCPM MS/PS focal points that received the invitations are asked to propose the participation of two experts coming from the field of disaster risk management and cultural heritage protection or, in alternative, of an expert able to cover both areas.

In order to ensure the effectiveness of the training programme, each course will be limited to a maximum of 35 participants. For this reason, as the participation of interested countries is subject to the availability of places, it is strongly recommended to complete and send the registration form no later than 25 January 2022.

For further information please contact: proculther-net@protezionecivile.it