Conservation and Revitalisation of Cultural and Natural Heritage

Programme Summary

Why is the Programme needed? There are 22,000 listed historical monuments and archaeological sites and many natural heritage sites in Romania. Lack of knowledge about alternative measures to conserve and protect this heritage and lack of funding jeopardize the maintenance of part of this heritage and also limit people’s access to it. Better access to cultural heritage is important to ensure a greater awareness about the diversity of Romania’s cultural and natural heritage and also to make people more aware about the need to safeguard and protect this heritage for future generations. What will the Programme achieve and who are the beneficiaries? This Programme plays a role in stimulating good heritage care and good relations within and between communities by providing funding to make full use of the potential well-kept heritage offers for job creation, economic growth and social cohesion. The Programme provides a basis for knowledge development and exchanges of experience regarding good heritage care. It contributes to: •    Revitalization, conservation, renovation and adaption of historical buildings for cultural purposes together with their environment; •    Construction, expansion, renovation and rehabilitation of cultural institutions; •    Maintenance, conservation and inventory of moveable monuments and historic book collections, of writing collections, of audio-visual archives, including film regarding the cultural history of social, ethnical and cultural minorities; •    Cultural intangible heritage of ethnic and cultural minorities safeguarded.  (At least 10% of the allocation for this Programme shall target activities related to the cultural heritage of the Roma population.)  The Programme strengthens bilateral cooperation between cultural players in this area in Romania, Iceland, Liechtenstein and/or Norway. The supported projects and the access these projects provide to the diversity of Romanian cultural heritage, contribute to a greater mutual understanding between people. In addition the Programme's support cultural stimulates professionals to build up their capacity to work in this area both within and outside of Romania.   Potential applicants for the Normal Grant Scheme are: public authorities, public cultural institutions, state archives, non-governmental organisations active in the field of cultural heritage or related to ethnic minorities, legal owners/holders of heritage monuments, items and collections, legally recognised religious organisations in Romania, higher education and research institutions, other non-commercial entities. How will the results be achieved? The support prevents the further deterioration of at least 4 heritage buildings, it contributes to the development of at least 2 new museums and cultural facilities and  it supports the restoration of no less than 200 cultural heritage objects and the digitisation of at least 2,000 items of cultural heritage value. Besides this the Programme provides strategic support to stimulate developments in local communities providing work and income within these communities. It will achieve this by stimulating the development of local master plans in relation to heritage assets, by support for the development of business plans for heritage sites and by support for the development of inventories of historic or cultural collection of minorities. Furthermore the Programme provides support which will result in at least 10 exhibitions of heritage of ethnic and cultural minorities.  Support is provided through calls for proposals with grants ranging between €200,000 and €2,000,000 and a Small Grant Scheme with grants ranging between €25,000 and €85,000.How will bilateral relations be strengthened? Bilateral relations are supported through a fund of €247,060 which provides assistance for partner search for partnership projects and activities encouraging networking and exchanges and the sharing of knowledge and best practices. The fund focuses on Romanian projects that envisage the involvement of partners from Iceland, Liechtenstein and/or Norway.  A fund for complementary action stimulates the exchange of experience and best practices among beneficiary states.What are the partnership opportunities? This Programme stimulates partnerships between Romanian cultural players and their counterparts in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Projects undertaken in bilateral partnership will be given priority in the selection criteria of projects.   The Directorate for Cultural Heritage Norway is involved in the Programme as a Donor Programme Partner. Donor State entities are eligible for grant assistance as project partners.