EU Support Fuels Cultural Heritage Revival in the Western Balkans
18/07/2024
The European Union’s unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Western Balkans is making significant strides. Through substantial funding and collaborative projects, the EU is not only protecting historical sites but also driving regional cooperation and socio-economic growth. By supporting cultural heritage, the EU aims to foster mutual understanding, peace, and economic development in the region.
As former High Representative Federica Mogherini put it at the UN General Assembly back in 2017, “Cultural heritage helps us learn about each other and ourselves. It builds bridges between people, communities, and between the past and the future.” This sentiment encapsulates the EU’s cultural heritage initiatives, which are about preservation and building a cohesive, resilient, and united Europe.
Success Stories and Key Projects
One of the standout success stories in the Western Balkans is the “Centuries of Bač” project, led by Slavica Vujović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra Serbia. This initiative, which won the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award in 2018, exemplifies a holistic approach to heritage conservation. The EU provided nearly €1 million for the reconstruction of the Franciscan Monastery in Bač, illustrating the substantial impact of EU support. Elma Hasimbegović from the History Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina highlighted the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme’s critical role in supporting their preservation efforts: “Horizon 2020 funding has enabled us to undertake significant restoration and preservation work that would otherwise have been impossible.”
Another example is the project led by Goce Naumov, President of the Centre for Prehistoric Research. Naumov emphasised the importance of this collaboration: “Our EU-funded project facilitated the first-ever cooperation between archaeologists from Albania, Serbia, and Macedonia, raising awareness about the need to protect prehistoric sites.” Such projects are instrumental in building a shared cultural identity and fostering mutual understanding.
Major Funding for Cultural Projects
The “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs) project is a flagship EU initiative with an €8 million investment aimed at supporting the cultural and creative sectors across the region. This EU funded project, implemented in collaboration with UNESCO, the British Council, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, seeks to foster peaceful relations and socio-economic development through culture.
Mariya Gabriel, Former European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, has emphasised the importance of such initiatives back in 2018: “Mainstreaming culture can lead to mutual understanding, peaceful cooperation, and stability, especially in a region rich in cultural heritage.”
Promoting Inclusivity and Cross-Border Cooperation
Inclusivity is at the heart of the EU’s cultural heritage projects. Nina Jocovic from the Museums and Galleries of Podgorica noted, “EU funding has transformed our museums into institutions of inclusivity, making them accessible to everyone.”
The Cultural Heritage Route Initiative
The EU’s Cultural Heritage Route initiative aims to connect significant cultural sites across the Western Balkans, boosting cultural tourism and economic growth. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to integrate the region into the European cultural and economic space, promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding.
Conclusion
The EU’s investment in the cultural heritage of the Western Balkans is yielding significant benefits, not only in preserving historical sites but also in fostering regional cooperation and socio-economic development. These efforts are essential for integrating the Western Balkans into the broader European context, celebrating shared history, and promoting cultural diversity.