On 11 December 2024, ICCROM’s flagship programme First Aid and Resilience for Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis (FAR) organized the virtual launch event for READY – Safeguarding Cultural Heritage from Disasters, Extreme Weather Events, and Complex Emergencies.

Funded by the EU’s Creative Europe Programme, and with the support of the European Commission’s Directorate general for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, READY is designed as a 38-month initiative aimed at strengthening capacities and fostering collaboration across Europe to safeguard cultural heritage against climate and conflict-related risks.

ICCROM Director-General Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral inaugurated the event, stressing the critical role of READY in Europe’s cultural heritage protection efforts. She emphasized that READY builds on existing resources and momentum, offering a robust foundation for targeted capacity building and disaster risk management. Ms. Gujral called for proactive strategies to safeguard heritage amid escalating climate risks.

Catherine Magnant, Head of Unit for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture at the European Commission, elaborated on READY’s mission to strengthen international networks of Cultural First Aiders and enhance governmental capacity to address the growing impacts of climate change and conflict.

Expert Panel Discussion: "Are We Ready?"

The highlight of the virtual launch event was a dynamic panel discussion, “Managing Extreme Risks to Cultural Heritage,” addressing the vital question: “Are We Ready?” Moderated by Aparna Tandon, Senior Programme Leader at ICCROM-FAR, the session brought together eight distinguished experts to share insights on the challenges and opportunities in disaster risk management for cultural heritage. The panellists explored strategies to address capacity gaps, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and integrate cultural heritage into broader policies for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. The panellists included:

  • Cristina Portalés: Research Team Director, Data Interaction and Augmentation (DINA), University of Valencia.
  • Álvaro Solbes-García: PhD Distinguished Researcher, History of Art Dept., University of Valencia.
  • Stefan Michalski: Heritage Conservation Scientist.
  • Lucia Leca: Architect, National Institute of Heritage, Romania.
  • Elke Selter: Program Director, ALIPH.
  • Erminia Sciacchitano: Senior Advisor on Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Italy.
  • Yigyeong OH: Associate Programme Management Officer, UNDRR Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia.
  • Jasna Popović: Head of Conservation Department, Ministry of Culture and Media, Croatia.

Drawing from recent disasters, such as the 2024 Valencia floods and Greece’s wildfires, the panel emphasized the pressing need for READY’s framework. Discussions highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, training, and community engagement to build resilience and improve response mechanisms for cultural heritage protection.

Key Takeaways and the Path Forward

The discussion underscored that while tools and funding for disaster risk management exist, coordinated action remains crucial. Collaborative efforts and clear frameworks are necessary to effectively reduce risks and respond to crises. Panellists identified training, capacity building, and inclusive policymaking as priority areas. The achievements of ICCROM’s FAR programme, particularly in Ukraine, were highlighted as a model for leveraging international collaboration to support cultural heritage during conflict.

The READY project provides a comprehensive framework, focusing equally on prevention, risk reduction, emergency preparedness, and response. With its first pan-European training scheduled for May 2025, READY is set to empower stakeholders to address climate and conflict-related challenges through a unified, strategic approach.

Get Involved

READY is funded by a €1.5M grant from the EU’s Creative Europe Programme and will run until October 2027. 

To register your interest, visit: READY Registration Form. For further inquiries, contact the FAR Programme at far_programme@iccrom.org