The earthquake in November 2019 inflicted extensive damage on 11 municipalities, including numerous cultural heritage sites in Albania.
To aid Albania in the restoration of these sites, the European Union launched the EU4Culture project, executed in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture by UNOPS. The primary goal of this project is to rehabilitate and rejuvenate cultural heritage objects that suffered damage during the earthquake.
The EU Delegation in the country has reported the completion of seven out of 19 targeted cultural heritage objects.
EU4Culture concentrates on the refurbishment and revitalization of crucial cultural heritage locations affected by the earthquake, standing out as one of the most substantial cultural heritage programs financially supported by the European Union, boasting a total budget of 40 million euros.
Built on the principle of “Building Back Better”, EU4Culture centers on the renovation of vital cultural heritage sites in accordance with the United Nations Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Simultaneously, the project aims to bolster Albania’s tourism potential, playing a direct role in local and regional socio-economic recovery.
With this objective in mind, special emphasis will be given to innovative technologies such as digital narratives and the development of multimedia products designed for widespread use.
Concurrently, the project offers support to local enterprises, artisanal activities, and cultural initiatives through grants focused on selected sites, providing a direct stimulus to the local economy.
