ICCROM announces Europe-wide READY course for cultural heritage protection
Iain Hoey
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Training programme focuses on protecting heritage in times of crisis
ICCROM has announced the launch of the first track of its READY project, a year-long training course on protecting heritage during disasters and emergencies.
According to ICCROM, the programme will begin in May 2025 and run until February 2026.
It aims to support professionals who work with cultural heritage, including those involved in disaster response, civil protection, and climate adaptation.
The initiative is supported by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture and involves several technical partners across Europe.
The training will focus on collections, living traditions, and practices that are at risk due to extreme weather, climate change, and armed conflicts.
Programme to combine online and in-person sessions
ICCROM stated that the READY training is divided into four parts.
The first phase will consist of four weeks of online orientation sessions, running from late May to late June 2025.
This will be followed by a 15-day in-person training course starting after 15 July 2025 in Riga, Latvia.
Participants will then return to their home countries for the third phase, implementing field projects between August 2025 and February 2026.
The final phase will include an international online meeting to present the outcomes of these projects.
Applicants from Creative Europe countries invited to apply
The course is open to professionals from European and non-European countries participating in the Creative Europe programme.
ICCROM said the programme is aimed at people working in museums, libraries, archives, and other cultural institutions, as well as community leaders and emergency response professionals.
Applications must be submitted online before 20 April 2025.
Participants will carry out field projects in their own regions
During the third phase of the course, participants will design and carry out practical projects to enhance heritage management in their own countries.
These projects are intended to apply the knowledge and methods taught during the earlier parts of the course.
ICCROM described the training as a way to improve both local and regional preparedness for emergencies affecting cultural heritage.
ICCROM announces Europe-wide READY course for cultural heritage protection: Summary
ICCROM has launched the first training track of its READY project on protecting cultural heritage during disasters and crises.
The course runs from May 2025 to February 2026 and includes online and in-person learning phases.
It is supported by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture.
The course will begin with online sessions in late May 2025, followed by a 15-day in-person workshop in Riga, Latvia.
From August 2025 to February 2026, participants will implement field projects in their home countries.
The programme concludes with an online international meeting.
The initiative is open to applicants from countries involved in the Creative Europe programme.
Professionals working in cultural institutions, as well as those in disaster response and climate adaptation roles, are eligible to apply.
Applications must be submitted before 20 April 2025.
