Conservation and Revitalisation of Cultural and Natural Heritage

Programme Summary

Why is the programme needed? The current demand for funding in Poland for the safekeeping of cultural heritage and people’s access to it is far higher than the funding available within Poland for this area at this moment. The programme will support the restoration and conservation of a part of Poland’s diverse cultural heritage and it will stimulate people’s access to this heritage, for example through the use of new technologies. Almost 63 000 immovable objects are included in the national register of historical monuments and 42% of these need renovation and conservation. The National Heritage Institute has identified 225 000 mobile heritage objects which are in the register of historical heritage. What will the programme achieve? The upkeep of Poland’s diverse cultural heritage is supported by the programme (e.g. the restoration of important cultural heritage buildings and the conservation of significant heritage collections). The resulting revitalised cultural heritage contributes to economic development, capacity development/job creation and social inclusion (by attracting tourists and investment in other economic areas). How will it be achieved? The programme will: • Contribute to at least seven projects aiming to restore cultural heritage objects; • Stimulate the development of at least 2 new museums/cultural centres providing people with greater access to culture; • Support the use of digital technology to gear up people’s access to cultural heritage; • Promote the development of greater awareness about cultural diversity and minority cultures. This will contribute to a greater understanding between communities and to social cohesion. How will bilateral relations be strengthened? The programme has a strong focus on strengthening bilateral relations, for example by developing long-term institutional partnerships and collaborations between the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage and the Polish National Heritage Board, and by fostering bilateral partnerships within supported projects and supporting the development of partnership projects. What are the partnership opportunities? There is support for partner search activities and the development of partner projects. Bilateral cooperation and exchanges will gear-up the exchange of knowledge and best practices between cultural players in the donor and beneficiary states in this area and in doing so it will contribute to accelerated learning. Who can apply for funding under this programme? Eligible applicants are: national and local government cultural institutions, film institutes, public artistic schools and art universities, public universities, state archives, local government units and their associations, churches and religious associations, and non-governmental organisations in the field of culture.