Dubai: The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM): has announced a call for participation in the first track of the READY project. This initiative includes an international training course titled "Safeguarding Heritage Collections, Living Traditions, and Practices in the Face of Disasters, Extreme Weather Events, and Complex Emergencies," running from May 2025 to February 2026.
According to Emirates News Agency, the READY project is a collaboration with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) and involves various technical partners across Europe. Funded by the EU, this initiative is tailored for professionals aiming to make a significant impact in their communities by protecting cultural heritage at risk. The project seeks to improve the capacity to safeguard all forms of heritage against extreme threats such as disasters caused by climate change and armed conflicts, both within Europe and globally.
The READY initiative offers a structured training course designed to equip participants with essential skills for effective heritage protection. This course is conducted in four phases, featuring both online and in-person learning. It begins with a four-week online orientation from late May to late June 2025, followed by a 15-day in-person training session in Riga, Latvia, starting after July 15, 2025. The third phase involves follow-up field projects from August 2025 to February 2026, where participants will propose projects to enhance heritage management capacities in their respective countries. The final phase includes an international online meeting to share project outcomes.
Applications are invited from a broad spectrum of heritage protection professionals, including cultural heritage experts, community leaders, and professionals from disaster management, civil protection, climate adaptation, and emergency response fields. Eligible candidates from countries participating in the Creative Europe programme must submit their applications online by April 20, 2025.
The READY initiative represents a significant step forward in strengthening the skills and capabilities of heritage professionals across Europe. By participating in this program, professionals not only gain the expertise needed to protect cultural assets but also contribute to advocating sustainable heritage practices, ensuring that Europe's rich cultural legacy is preserved for future generations.