Locations
Phase 9
Support to Monuments of Great Importance for the Communities of Cyprus
| Status: | Ongoing |
| Duration: | 2024 - 2026 |
| Donors: | European Commission |
| Coverage: | Island-wide |
| Beneficiaries: | Turkish Cypriot Community and Greek Cypriot Community |
| Focus Area: | Governance and Peacebuilding |
| Partners: | Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage |
| See more information about the project on the transparency portal. | |
Project summary:
The cultural heritage of Cyprus emanates from diverse and rich cultures and civilizations which have populated the island throughout history. It constitutes the common heritage of all Cypriots and of humanity regardless of its origin. Since 2010 the United Nations Development Programme and the European Commission have been assisting the bi-communal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) to preserve the island’s cultural heritage.
This is the ninth phase of the 'Support to cultural heritage monuments of great importance for Cyprus' programme, which aims to extend the support to the efforts of the TCCH thus contribute to the ongoing peace and confidence building process by bringing communities closer to their shared heritage through conservation and emergency safeguarding projects.
“The Cultural Heritage Technical Committee believes that it is the primary responsibility of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to protect the endangered cultural heritage of the island, and that it is important for these monuments to be preserved, not only because they are important symbols for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, as well as for humanity, but also because they have an intrinsic value of their own.” (Press statement of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, 06 May 2009).
The Agreement of 21 March 2008 reached between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), paved the way for the establishment of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, dedicated to the recognition, promotion and protection of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Cyprus. The Committee is supported in its work by an Advisory Board composed of archaeologists, architects, art historians and town planners from both communities. All its programmatic decisions are taken in line with the agreed principles and the task attributed to them by the two Leaders.
The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage works to provide a mutually acceptable mechanism for the implementation of practical measures for the proper preservation, physical protection and restoration (including research, study and survey) of the cultural heritage of Cyprus. The Committee believes that the protection of cultural heritage is an integral part of the ongoing process of broadening areas of cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, which can most effectively be achieved through joint efforts. The protection of cultural heritage also stimulates sustainable development and mutual understanding.
An initial list of 40 sites in need of emergency care and conservation was approved by the Leaders. Additional monuments of great historical value or notable size have been added to this list. Particular attention was given to the archaeological importance of the monuments, reflecting their uniqueness, historical significance and role in society as well as their future educational role.
Objectives:
To support the reconciliation process and to increase the trust between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities through the implementation of confidence building measures agreed by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH).
Preservation of Cypriot cultural heritage by supporting conservation and emergency measures for high importance monuments agreed by the Technical Committee on Culture in Cyprus.
Increase the online accessibility and digital preservation of completed TCCH projects enabled through Digitisation of Cultural Heritage.
Implementing Partners:
Since 2010 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has assisted the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage to preserve the cultural heritage of Cyprus.
UNDP directly implements and administers the Committee's conservation works and visibility efforts, hence creating a favourable environment for the non-political consideration of cultural heritage on both sides of the island.
Joint monitoring visits and regular meetings with the Advisory Board of the Technical Committee are facilitated by UNDP to encourage and ensure the direct involvement in each stage of the project cycle. The direct involvement of technical teams from both communities (architects, archaeologists, engineers etc.) act, in time, as team- and confidence-building measures, allowing for increased exchange of experiences and the setting of a positive example of successful collaboration between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
Moreover, UNDP provides logistical and strategic support to the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in its efforts to re-establish community links between villages and their former residents and encourage cross-community exchanges.
Results:
Within Phase 9 of the project, the following cultural heritage sites located island-wide benefited from emergency measures and/or conservation projects and designs:
Conservation works for selected cultural heritage sites
Designs for conservation works of selected cultural heritage sites
Maintenance activities for the completed works of the TCCH
This activity aims to contribute to further develop a maintenance mechanism for cultural heritage sites restored under the CH programme, building upon the ongoing efforts on this issue.
Community Engagement
The project will aim to maximise visibility and raise awareness amongst the Cypriot public and international communities through the organisation of a series of public awareness raising events, social media, use of digital tools and the press. Communication and engagement activities will be inclusive, involving all members of both communities, with special attention given to ensure the participation of youth, women, as well as those with specific needs.
Heritage Youth Ambassadors initiative
The project’s contribution to the higher-level outcome will be further supported by the continuation and scaling up of the efforts for youth involvement in the work of the TCCH and in the protection and conservation of Cyprus’ cultural heritage more broadly. Within this framework, the “Heritage Youth Ambassadors” (HYA) initiative will be continued and further enhanced under CH9. In this phase, the focus will be on introducing skill development opportunities for the youth, such as training them as storytellers, digital engagements and other related capacities.
Online Accessibility and Digital Preservation of Cultural Heritage enabled through Digitisation of completed TCCH projects
Building upon this framework and taking into account the latest developments in digital heritage policies and recommendations, the EU's digital targets for 2030, the updated UNDP Digital Strategy, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UNDP is further enhancing their efforts in the digital heritage component during this phase of the program.
The main pillars of the Online Accessibility and Digital Preservation of Cultural Heritage activities will be:
- Creation of new Virtual tours and Digital Preservation of Cultural Heritage
- Creation of new Cultural Heritage Open Archive
