Europa Nostra contributes to the opening of ICCROM’s international training on safeguarding cultural heritage in times of crisis in Europe
Europa Nostra participated in the opening session of READY Track 01, an international training initiative organised by ICCROM in Riga, Latvia, from 21 July to 2 August 2025. The event marked the launch of the in-person phase of this hybrid programme aimed at strengthening the protection of cultural heritage in the face of increasingly complex crises in Europe.
Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, Director-General of ICCROM, addressing the audience. Photo: © ICCROM
Held at Riga Castle, the opening brought together experts and representatives from key international organisations, including the Ministry of Culture of Latvia, the European Commission (DG ECHO), UNESCO, the Latvian National Museum of Art, the State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Ukraine, and the Turathuna Foundation in Syria.
Europa Nostra was represented by Vanessa Fraga Prol, Advocacy and Partnerships Manager, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to cross-sector collaboration and cultural resilience.
Panel discussion featuring Vanessa Fraga Prol, Advocacy and Partnerships Manager at Europa Nostra. Photo: © ICCROM
The training is part of ICCROM’s First Aid and Resilience for Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis (FAR) Programme. READY is supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Commission. It brings together 25 professionals from over 20 countries, including museum, libraries and archive professionals, civil protection officers, and heritage policy experts.
READY Track 01 is a hybrid, interdisciplinary training designed to strengthen the capacity of heritage professionals to assess risks and respond to emergencies — ranging from climate-induced disasters to armed conflict. The programme combines an online learning phase with two weeks of hands-on training in Riga. Activities include risk assessments, evacuation drills, salvage exercises, and simulations, culminating in a large-scale emergency scenario at the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia.
Agnese Lāce, Minister of Culture of Latvia, addressing the audience. Photo: © ICCROM
The opening session featured remarks from Agnese Lāce, Minister of Culture of Latvia, who underlined the country’s strong commitment to cultural heritage protection in crisis contexts. Also speaking were Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, ICCROM Director-General, and Georg Häusler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport at the European Commission.
Europa Nostra’s presence at this important event reflects its long-standing advocacy for placing cultural heritage at the heart of crisis preparedness, response, and sustainable recovery. It also aligns with the objectives of the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia, which promotes regional cooperation and resilience across the Mediterranean and the Middle East — regions where heritage is particularly at risk.
Launch of the in-person training in Riga to Safeguard Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis. Photo: © ICCROM
Europa Nostra extends its warm thanks to ICCROM and the Ministry of Culture of Latvia for the invitation and for championing this essential training initiative that places heritage protection at the forefront of international crisis response in our continent and beyond.
Find out more
