Conservation and Revitalisation of Cultural and Natural Heritage

Programme Summary

Why is the Programme needed? In an increasingly globalised world it is important to be aware of national heritage and of what past generations contributed - not only to that heritage - but also to the world we currently live in. There are still significant remains of Portugal’s relatively unknown Jewish cultural heritage. This part of the country’s heritage is endangered and the Programme aims to support its enhancement and its accessibility for the broader public. This heritage will be safeguarded for current and future generations and make people more aware of this part of their heritage. What will the Programme achieve and who are the beneficiaries? The Programme safeguards cultural heritage spread across Portugal and stimulates greater public access to this heritage.  This is seen as a key contribution to the promotion of social inclusion, as well to promotion of tourism and the development of new jobs. The Programme considers one pre-defined project: Routes of Sepharad – Enhancement of the Portuguese identity in intercultural dialogue. The project studies, recovers and enhances an important and still not well-known part of Portuguese cultural heritage, which by its nature and origin represents a remarkable openness to the world through relations developed and maintained by the Jewish communities in Portugal. The Programme supports activities aimed at identifying important Jewish Sephardic cultural heritage across Portugal and those aimed at connecting these within a cultural heritage route, as well as activities aimed at the study of this heritage, its conservation and restoration and people’s access to this heritage. The Programme stimulates international exchange of experience and knowledge through cooperation between cultural heritage entities in Portugal and those in Iceland, Liechtenstein and/or Norway. The Project Promoter of this pre-defined project is the Network of Jewish Quarters – Routes of Sepharad in Portugal. How will the results be achieved? The Programme achieves the following: •    The restoration / conservation of least 13 cultural heritage buildings •    At least 7 training and capacity development activities in this area •    Increased visibility of Jewish heritage in 27 municipalities •    Promoting people’s awareness of this heritageHow will bilateral relations be strengthened? Bilateral relations are supported through a bilateral fund of €70,588 which supports partner search for project partners in the Donor States within the pre-defined project and activities encouraging networking and exchanges and the sharing of knowledge and best practice. A fund for complementary action (€13,294) stimulates the exchange of experience and best practices in the area of Jewish cultural heritage among beneficiary states.What are the partnership opportunities? This Programme stimulates cooperation between the Project Promoter and partner(s) in the Donor States.