What is the “Fund”?
The Fund for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict assists the States Parties to the 1999 Second Protocol by providing financial as well as technical assistance in relation to emergency, provisional or other measures to protect cultural property during armed conflict, or for immediate recovery after the end of hostilities.
When does the “Fund” apply? / Eligible projects
- In peacetime, the “Fund” can be used to provide financial or other assistance for preparatory or other measures such as the preparation of inventories, the planning of emergency measures for protection against fire or structural collapse, the preparation for the removal of movable cultural property or the provision for adequate in situ protection of such property, and to develop and implement training and educational programmes on the protection of cultural property (Art 5 of the 1999 Second Protocol).
- In a period of armed conflict, or for immediate recovery after the end of hostilities, the “Fund”, can be used to provide financial support in relation to emergency, provisional or other measures to protect cultural property.
What are the criteria to grant an international assistance through the “Fund”?
The Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict decides on how the Fund is to be used. Resources of the Fund coming from voluntary contributions - made by different organs within a State, NGOs or individuals – are used for programmes or projects approved by the Committee.
The Committee’s decisions on granting international assistance may be guided by the following considerations:
- The possibility of assistance acting as a catalyst and multiplier (“seed money”) and promoting financial and technical contributions from other sources;
- The recipient’s legislative, administrative and, wherever possible, financial commitment to the activity;
- The exemplary value of the activity; and,
- The cost-effectiveness of the activity.
Priorities to obtain the international assistance
The Committee, while examining the requests, takes into account the special needs of States Parties that are developing countries.
Priority is also given to emergency requests and requests of a preventive nature. Emergency measures are the highest priority.
Apply for International Assistance
Funding amount
There is no formal limit set for minimum or maximum amount of request. However, in practice, the amounts of requests range between 15,000 and 50,000 USD.
Implementation period
There is no formal limit set for minimum or maximum duration of projects. However in practice, the projects are completed within 24 months of the granting of financial assistance.
Languages of submission
English or French
Deadline
A request for International assistance must be submitted to the Secretariat six months before the ordinary meeting of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
A request for emergency measures may be submitted at any time. Notwithstanding the six-month deadline, given its urgency, the Committee will consider the request as soon as possible on an ad hoc basis.
To prepare the request, download the following documents:
- Brochure on the Fund for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
- International Assistance Application Form :
http://www.unesco.org/culture/1954convention/fund/International-Assistance-Request-Form_EN.docx (Please copy the link and open it in a new window of your browser)
Funded Projects
Afghanistan
When: 2018
Amount granted: US$ 45,000
How and why: To support preparatory measures for activities that are in conformity with Articles 5 and 30 of the 1999 Second Protocol.
This project supports Afghanistan in developing a strategic action plan on priorities for the protection of cultural property against foreseeable effects of armed conflict and organizing an advanced training for military trainers and legal advisors on the protection of cultural property in times of armed conflict.
For more information please refer to 13COM.8
Barbados
When: 2020
Amount granted: US$ 46 000
How and why: To take preparatory measures through digitization and conservation of Slavery Records.
This project strengthens the protection of Barbados cultural property.
For more information please refer to the 15COM.9
Burkina Faso
Ruins of Loropéni (Burkina Faso)
When: in 2019
Amount granted: US$ 44,628
How and why: To implement preparatory measures such as organizing local capacity-buildings, improving the domestic legislative and administrative framework to ensure the highest level of protection to cultural properties, and preparation of a nomination folder to inscribe up to 11 properties on the International List of Cultural Property Under Enhanced Protection.
Accomplishments
In 2021, Burkina Faso organized an awareness raising workshop with relevant stakeholders and developed its national Action Plan for the implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention and its two Protocols (1954 and 1999).
In 2022, the legal chapter on the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict has been integrated into the revision of the framework law on the protection of cultural heritage in Burkina Faso and nomination files were prepared for seven Burkinabe cultural properties to be inscribed on the International List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection.
For more information, please refer to 14 COM.7, 16 COM 7 and 17 COM 12.
El Salvador
Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site
When: in 2011
Amount granted: US $23,500
How and why: To support preparatory measures for the purpose of publicizing the Blue Shield emblem and its role and identifying cultural property to be placed under its protection in the event of armed conflict.
Accomplishments
This financial assistance helped promote awareness of the Blue Shield emblem locally.
In addition, local authorities identified11 buildings as cultural property to be placed under the protection of the Blue Shield, including the Palace of Fine Arts, the Arch Duran and the National Theatre of San Salvador.
For more information please refer to 6COM.6
Gabon
When: in 2022
Amount granted: US$ 29,850
How and why: To implement preparatory measures such as the creation of a National Advisory Committee or the marking of sites with the blue shield emblem and to organise a sub-regional capacity-building workshop with Central African countries to share Gabon's experience in ratifying and implementing the 1954 Convention and the 1999 Second Protocol and to determine perspectives for the implementation of a Central African program within the framework of the UNESCO “Heritage for Peace” Thematic Programme.
For more information, please refer to 17 COM.13.
Libya
Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Libya)
When: in 2016
Amount granted: US $50,000
How and why: To support emergency measures to ensure the adequate protection of the cultural property concerned and to prevent their deterioration, destruction or looting.
Accomplishments
The amount granted has enabled Libya to secure, rehabilitate and restore two local museums and to protect the cultural property located in two oases. Libya establish an inventory of the scattered objects and tools contained in the Al Gaygab and Gasr Libya Museums, and also strengthened their security by installing alarms and a surveillance camera system among other activities.
For more information please refer to 11COM.6bis
Mali
Timbuktu (Mali)
Three financial assistances have been granted to date:
- In 2012, a sum of US $40,500 was granted as emergency assistance with the main aim of protecting cultural property in the north of the country and making an appraisal of the situation.
- In 2016, a sum of US $ 40,000 was granted related to the request for the granting of enhanced protection for the Tomb of Askia.
- In 2018, a sum of US $15,000 was granted in support of preparatory measures for activities that are in conformity with the 1999 Second Protocol.
- Under the 2012 grant of financial assistance, Mali was able to carry out various assessments and intervention missions with regard to its cultural property, such as the state of conservation of several building, as well as museums such as Sahel Museum and Sikasso Museum.
- Under the 2016 grant of financial assistance, the inscription of the Tomb of Askia on the List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection was supported.
- Under the 2018 grant of financial assistance, Mali, in cooperation with UNESCO, drafted amendments to the domestic legislation and regulation transposing the provisions of Chapter IV of the 1999 Second Protocol into Malian national law.
Mexico
When: In 2020
Amount granted: US$ 44, 400
How and why: For the implementation of preparatory measures, and more specifically the establishment of a Risk Management Plan for the National Anthropology Museum and the nomination of the Museum for its inscription on the International List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection.
Accomplishments
The National Museum of Anthropology has completed and adopted its Comprehensive Risk Management Plan and was granted enhanced protection by the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict at its 17th meeting (UNESCO, 2022).
For more information, please refer to 15COM.9, 17 COM 12 and 17 COM 17.
Paraguay
When: in 2022
Amount granted: US$ 32,000
How and why: To implement preparatory measures such as the organization of capacity-building activities for security forces and cultural professionals on the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict and the establishment of an inventory of cultural properties to be marked with the distinctive blue shield emblem.
For more information, please refer to 17 COM.13.
Ukraine
When: in 2022
Amount granted: USD 50,000
How and why: To implement the project “Emergency measures for the protection of cultural heritage in Ukraine”, notably through the purchase and deliver of relevant equipment to protect movable and immovable cultural property and prevent damage, destruction and looting.
For more information, please refer to 2 EXT COM 4 and 17 COM.12.4.
Support the Fund
The “Fund” is supported by voluntary donations, which are greatly appreciated. Thanks to generous contributions, the “Fund” has financed measures taken by different countries in need. To expand the scope of beneficiaries and impact on the ground, the “Fund” needs continued support.
Private sector and individuals
To make a contribution by bank transfer or check, please inform the 1954 Hague Convention Secretariat by e-mail of your intention to contribute to the Fund, making sure to include in the subject line “Contribution to the Fund for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict”. The message should be addressed to 99SP@unesco.org or can be relayed in cooperation with the relevant Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, where appropriate.
Governments
Governments have been the primary donors of the “Fund” since its establishment. To make a contribution, contact the 1954 Hague Convention Secretariat for more information at:
List of voluntary donations made by Parties
- Azerbaijan
- Cambodia
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Finland
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Slovakia
- Switzerland
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Financial Regulations of the Special Account for the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict :
EN | FR -
The Fund for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, Published in 2017 © UNESCO - Updated in 2020