7 Most Endangered Programme Capacity Building Days Report

CAPACITY BUILDING DAYS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 7 MOST ENDANGERED PROGRAMME 22 – 24 OCTOBER 2018 | NICOSIA AND FAMAGUSTA, CYPRUS

REPORT

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Androulla Vassiliou, Vice-President of Europa Nostra

Glafkos Constantinides, Economist & Urban Planning Consultant, Former Coordinator NMP Project Team Naciye Doratli, Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University and Director of the Centre of Cyprus Studies, former member of NMP team

Agni Petridou, former Head, Nicosia Master Plan (Greek Cypriot team) & Council member of Europa Nostra

Rita Severis, Director, Centre of Visual Arts and Research

EUROPA NOSTRA AND EIB-I TEAM

Guy Clausse, Vice-President of Europa Nostra

Sneťka Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra

Elena Bianchi, Programme Coordinator, 7 Most Endangered and European Heritage Awards, Europa Nostra Louise van Rijckevorsel, European Affairs, Europa Nostra

Audrey Hogan, Programme Officer, 7 Most Endangered and European Heritage Awards, Europa Nostra Henry von Blumenthal, Deputy Dean, European Investment Bank-Institute

Mario Aymerich, former Director Projects Directorate, European Investment Bank Peter Bond, Technical Advisor, European Investment Bank

PHOTO CREDITS

Cover, page 3 by Roman Robroek

Page 40 by Audrey Hogan, Europa Nostra Page 48 by Rienko Wilton

All other images by Kadir Kaba

With thanks to all photographers for their voluntary contributions to the Conference.

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WHY THIS CONFERENCE? WHY NOW?

From 22-24 October, an inspiring and varied programme of presentations, discussions and visits took place in Nicosia on the occasion of the 5th Anniversary Conference of the 7 Most Endangered programme and Capacity Building Days on Endangered Heritage within the framework of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. The programme was open to participants from across Europe and brought together over 100 people from 20 countries.

The conference was organised by Europa Nostra and the Centre for Visual Arts and Research (CVAR) with the support of the European Investment Bank Institute, the European Commission through its Creative Europe Programme, the Leventis Foundation, the UNDP-PFF and the Bicommunal Committee on Cultural Heritage.

The conference presented an unprecedented opportunity to share the lessons learned since the launch of the 7 Most Endangered programme in 2013 and to discuss the future steps of the programme. Participants also benefited from expert knowledge in funding for heritage in danger, the management and reuse of endangered heritage and partnership development.

This report compiles a summary of each of the presentations that were made. A concise estimation of the main conclusions and outcomes of the conference are outlined at the end of the document.

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PROGRAMME OF EVENTS TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER

Venue: Centre of Visual Arts and Research, 285 Ermou, Nicosia MORNING SESSION

9.30-10.15 OPENING SESSION

Moderator: Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra

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Welcome and opening remarks:

Androulla Vassiliou, Vice-President of Europa Nostra

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Opening addresses:

Vassiliki Anastassiadou, Minister of Transport, Communications and Works of the Republic of Cyprus Henry von Blumenthal, Deputy Dean of the European Investment Bank Institute

Guy Clausse, Executive Vice-President of Europa Nostra

10.15-12.00 LESSONS LEARNED FROM SELECTED PROJECTS

Moderator: John Sell, Chair of the 7ME Advisory Panel

Vauban’s 17th Century Fortifications in Briançon (France), 2013 7ME list by Gabor Mester De Parajd, Architect and Member of the Scientific Council Manueline Style Monastery and Church of Jesus in Setúbal (Portugal), 2013 7ME list by Hugo O’Neill, President of the Portuguese Historical Houses Association

Roşia Montană Mining Landscape in Transylvania (Romania), 2013 7ME list by Claudia Apostol, ARA Association

Historic Stage Machinery of the Bourla Theatre, Antwerp (Belgium), 2014 7ME list by Carl Meeusen, Project Manager Master Plan Bourla Theatre

Renaissance Monastery of San Benedetto Po, near Mantova, Citadel of Alessandria, Venice Lagoon, (Italy) by Rossana Bettinelli, Board Member of Europa Nostra 12.00-12.30

DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE FUTURE

Nada Hosking, Director of Programs and Partnerships, Global Heritage Fund Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra

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12.30-14.00 LUNCH INCLUDING THE OPENING OF A PHOTO EXHIBITION ON THE BUFFER ZONE OF NICOSIA BY THE YOUNG DUTCH PHOTOGRAPHER ROMAN ROBROEK

In the presence of HE the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of Cyprus, Ms Nathalie Jaarsma Venue: Balthazar Café (Cafeteria CVAR)

AFTERNOON SESSION

Moderator: Guy Clausse, Executive Vice-President of Europa Nostra 14.00-14.30 EU POLICIES AND ACTION FOR HERITAGE AT RISK

Erminia Sciacchitano, Chief Scientific Advisor of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, DG Education and Culture, European Commission 14.30-16.00 FUNDING FOR SAVING CULTURAL HERITAGE MONUMENTS AND SITES IN DANGER

Towards an Integrated Approach to Funding Cultural Heritage for Europe by Mario Aymerich, former Director Projects Directorate, European Investment Bank

EEA and Norway Grants support to revitalise cultural heritage in EU cohesion countries by Sheamus Cassidy, Head of the Priority Sectors, EFTA

European Regional Development Fund by Marco Pino, Policy Analyst, DG Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission

Protecting the Past, Anticipating the Future: Foundations’ Perspectives on Funding Cultural Heritage by Myrto Hatzaki, Greek Programmes and Public Relations Manager, AG Leventis Foundation Crowdfunding for Endangered Heritage by Kletia Zeqo, Crowdfunding Advisor and Consultant at Technopolis Group 16.00-17.00 BEST PRACTICES OF SAVING ENDANGERED SITES BY WINNERS OF THE EU PRIZE FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE / EUROPA NOSTRA AWARDS

Conversion of De Hoorn Brewery into a creative hub, Leuven (Belgium), winner of an EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award 2016 by Koen van Balen, Director of the Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation, KU Leuven Six Churches in Lorca (Spain), winner of an EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award 2016 by Juan de Dios de la Hoz Martinez, Architect, Lavila Arquitectos S.L.P. Hermes: Hermoupolis digital heritage management (Greece), winner of an EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award 2015, by Pavlos Chatzigrigoriou, Digital Heritage Expert and Developer of HERMES

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WEDNESDAY 24 OCTOBER 2018

Venue: Centre of Visual Arts and Research, 285 Ermou, Nicosia MORNING SESSION

THE ‘BUFFER ZONE’ OF THE HISTORIC CENTRE OF NICOSIA (7ME LIST 2013)

Moderator: Androulla Vassiliou, Vice-President of Europa Nostra 9.00 - 11.00 FIRST SESSION

Opening Address: Elizabeth Spehar, Special Representative of UN Secretary General and Chief of Mission of UNFICYP

The Nicosia Master Plan Project and the approach to the “Buffer Zone”- Technical challenges and bicommunal cooperation by Agni Petridou, former Head, Nicosia Master Plan (Greek Cypriot team) & Council member of Europa Nostra, and Ali Güralp, Head, Nicosia Master Plan (Turkish Cypriot team) “The Buffer Zone Studies” Joint effort and capacity building for a shared vision by Athina Papadopoulou, Head, Nicosia Master Plan (Greek Cypriot team), and Gul Oztek , former member of the Buffer Zone team, Conservation Architect “The Buffer Zone initiative” by Rita Severis, Director, and Ayla Gurel, Researcher and Consultant, Centre of Visual Arts and Research 11.30-12.30 SECOND SESSION

“The Future and how to get there: Implementation obstacles, opportunities and lessons” by Glafkos Constantinides, Economist & Urban Planning Consultant, Former Coordinator NMP Project Team, and Naciye Doratli, Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University and Director of the Centre of Cyprus Studies, former member of NMP team Panel Discussion with representatives of the two communities of Nicosia: • • •

Constantinos Yiorkadjis Mehmet Harmanci Guy Clausse, Executive Vice-President of Europa Nostra

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AFTERNOON SESSION

GUIDED VISIT OF OTHELLO TOWER AND MONUMENTS RESTORED BY THE BICOMMUNAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL HERITAGE IN FAMAGUSTA

In cooperation and with the support of

15.00 – 16.00

Address by Ambra di Nuzzo, Programme Manager on Cultural Heritage - Cyprus Settlement Support European Commission

Message from Tiziana Zennaro, Head of Office/ Programme Manager, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Introductory Remarks by Ali Tuncay and Glafkos Constantinides, Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage

Conservation Projects – finalised/ongoing by Ege Uluca Tümer, member of the Advisory Board of Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, Architecture Department Eastern Mediterranean University and Greek Cypriot Counterpart

16.15 VISIT TO THE CHURCHES IN MARTINENGO CLUSTER, THE OTHELLO TOWER AND RAVELIN BASTION

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23 OCTOBER 2018

SNEŠKA QUAEDVLIEG-MIHAILOVIĆ, SECRETARY GENERAL OF EUROPA NOSTRA

Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović welcomed the participants to the conference and thanked the European and Cypriot partners who cooperated to put the programme in place: the European Investment Bank Institute, the European Commission, the Leventis Foundation and the Centre for Visual Arts and Research.

Ms. Quaedvlieg-Mihailović stressed that the European Year of Cultural heritage is an opportunity to “celebrate excellence, the value of sharing and the power of partnership and bridgebuilding” but also highlighted that “we must collectively ring the alarm bell for so many heritage sites which are in danger”.

Ms. Quaedvlieg-Mihailović underlined the importance of the Buffer Zone of Nicosia and how it is symbolic of all endangered heritage, justifying a whole day of the conference being dedicated to this unique area. She expressed her particular gratitude to the representatives of the two communities of Nicosia - Constantinos Yiorkadjis and Mehmet Harmanci – for being present.

ANDROULLA VASSILIOU, VICE-PRESIDENT OF EUROPA NOSTRA

Androulla Vassiliou drew attention to the thousands of activities that have already been organised for the European Year of Cultural Heritage, a highlight of which was the European Cultural Heritage Summit in Berlin.

She called for each participant to sign the Berlin Call to Action which was launched at the Summit.

Mrs. Vassiliou stressed that “cultural heritage connects generations as it reflects cross fertilizations and cross- border movements of people and ideas over many centuries of shared history. This could not be more evident than in this particular area of Nicosia” and referred to Cyprus as “a kaleidoscope of civilizations, a bridge between the East and the West”.

“We, Cypriots are very grateful to Europa Nostra and the EIB-I for bringing to the fore the dangers regarding the Buffer Zone of Nicosia, a few hundred meters away from where we are today and which was among the first 7 cultural heritage sites to have been declared under threat in 2013”, she stated.

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VASSILIKI ANASTASSIADOU, MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKS OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS AND ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES Minister Anastassiadou drew attention to the dangers facing cultural heritage such as neglect, development pressures, lack of expertise or resources and deliberate destruction, in attempts to eradicate collective memory and cultural identity and expressed her support for active efforts to safeguard it.

The Minister emphasised the importance of the 7 Most Endangered programme for identifying cultural heritage in danger and for providing concrete action plans stating that “these are the sort of concrete actions and initiatives that cultural heritage needs. The fact that this is a list that is renewed every two years, provides the opportunity for more cultural sites to benefit from expertise and assistance”.

Minister Anastassiadou expressed that she was glad to see a session of the conference dedicated to the Buffer Zone of Nicosia “on a bi-communal level” where presenters shared their experiences, opinions and initiatives that should be undertaken in the area which is confronted with many challenges. “It is my hope that concrete actions will be discussed and results will be pursued”, she stated.

The Minister concluded her remarks by expressing the support of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works to the work and activities of Europa Nostra and later signed the Berlin Call to Action “Cultural Heritage for the Future of Europe”.

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HENRY VON BLUMENTHAL, DEPUTY DEAN OF THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK INSTITUTE

The European Investment Bank Institute is the philanthropic arm of the EIB. Among its aims is channelling support to higher education and research activities, particularly in the field of applied economics within Europe, mainly by commissioning research for its own needs and acting as a catalyst for economic and social development within the EU Member States. The EIB-I is also active in arts and culture and is a founding partner of the 7 Most Endangered programme.

In his talk, Henry von Blumenthal highlighted that the preservation of cultural heritage is vital: “it is our inheritance from previous generations and our legacy for those to come…. It binds us together horizontally across borders, and vertically across time in a way which generates pride without animosity.”

According to the first ever Eurobarometer on this topic, released in 2018, 84% of Europeans consider cultural heritage as personally important as well as important for the European Union.

They acknowledge that heritage can improve the quality of daily life and contributes to a sense of belonging to Europe in its diversity. More than at any other point in recent history, the sense of a common Europe is now under threat.

Cultural heritage attracts investment and tourism. Tourism, contributes 415 billion euro to the EU GDP and employs more than 15 million people. Slightly less obviously, cultural heritage also gives a good return on investment and brings about sustainable heritage-led regeneration for cities. Henry von Blumenthal emphasised that even when the EIB’s projects have little to do directly with cultural heritage, a convincing factor when trying to gain support for a project from the people involved can be the effect that the projects inevitably have on cultural heritage.

A recent study by the International University of Language and Media in Milan, IULM on the impact of cultural heritage on public health showed that adrenaline and stress levels are improved when one enters a church or museum but specifically when a heritage site resonates with a person’s own perception of their cultural background. Research is now ongoing as to whether increasing investment in culture and cultural heritage could decrease spending on health.

Mr. von Blumenthal highlighted that heritage is fragile and nonrenewable and is vulnerable to exploitation and that more should be done to promote the potential use of cultural heritage for economic growth and jobs, socioeconomic cohesion and environmental sustainability.

Public funding is scarce and so other avenues should be considered, primarily in 3 areas: visibility and awareness-raising (as done with the 7ME programme); the safeguard and use of cultural heritage for social and economic cohesion, which is again something addressed by 7ME; and finally further engaging the private sector such as representatives from the tourism industry etc.

He also announced the Institute’s intention to organise a pilot matchmaking event in Luxembourg in 2019, bringing together endangered sites in need of funding and private funders, possibly alongside public financiers.

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GUY CLAUSSE, EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT OF EUROPA NOSTRA Guy Clausse briefly summarised the main conclusions following 5 years of the 7 Most Endangered programme.

There are 2 primary aims of the 7 Most Endangered programme. The first is to raise awareness and visibility for the listed sites chosen, to acknowledge their value and thus underline the need to save them and the second is to help formulate a plan to save the site by producing a technical report which follows an expert mission on site.

So far, 22 sites have been chosen across three editions from across Europe. Guy Clausse did highlight that there are in particular two countries from which no nominations have yet been received: Poland and Ireland.

Following an internal evaluation of the programme Guy Clausse identified several conclusions which can be considered when advancing further with the programme.

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The 7 Most Endangered programme works particularly well when Europa Nostra and the EIB-I have a strong partner in the locality of the site. The nominator and the owner of the site are important stakeholders and their involvement helps to ensure progress.

Effort must be made to come up with a solution which is sustainable and which will be resilient to changing circumstances over time.

The mere shortlisting of a site can already make a difference, if the corresponding increase in national and European visibility is well used.

The political context with its (abrupt) changes can be determining, notably for “campaigning” projects (e.g. Nicosia Buffer Zone and Roşia Montană).

The funding of the necessary investment is obviously often an issue, though not always a dominating one. Of great importance is also the early availability of rather modest seed funding to help a promising project get over the start-up hurdles.

EU grant funding can provide the determining boost but may be difficult to access due to administrative or political complexities, typically at the national level. The socio-economic benefits of an investment in the project need to be convincingly identified. National funding is equally important; it is needed for co-financing reasons anyway. Foundations and private funding sources become increasingly crucial. Loan funding can be considered once grant and similar funding sources have been explored.

EU countries do not necessarily have an immediate advantage as some of the most successful cases have come from outside of the EU, for example the Synagogue in Subotica, Serbia.

Guy Clausse concluded by stating that choosing “easy” sites is not a priority for Europa Nostra and the EIB-I. The projects are selected with a number of criteria considered, among which are the

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uniqueness and value of the site and the pressing nature of the danger it faces. Mr. Clausse did note that different factors do affect the ‘ease’ with which progress can be expected and can help when identifying which sites may need more lengthy efforts to proceed. Two tables which plot these factors were presented by Mr. Clausse.

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LESSONS LEARNED FROM SELECTED PROJECTS

VAUBAN’S 17TH CENTURY FORTIFICATIONS IN BRIANÇON (FRANCE), 2013 7ME LIST GABOR MESTER DE PARAJD, ARCHITECT AND MEMBER OF THE SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL

In his presentation, Gabor Mester de Parajd, explained how the Fortifications in Briançon, having lost their military function thanks to the longstanding peace in France and in Europe, and lack of appropriate proposals for the site’s reuse resulted in its neglect and slow decline.

Thanks to the inscription of the Fortifications of Vauban as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the attention garnered from its listing as a “7 Most Endangered” site by Europa Nostra and the EIB-I, and support from the Conservateur Régional des Monuments Historiques, Robert Jourdan, a programme of conservation was put in place to avoid the risk of losing sections of walls and roofs but no long-term proposal had been made for its development.

At the end of 2015 a private initiative was presented by Mr Ludovic Arnaud, a private manager, to redevelop the monument, with its 15 buildings, into a new quarter for the city. The reuse of the building, funded with a private investment, would create: a congress centre, with an auditorium in the historical Chapel; a 5* hotel with wellness centre; restaurants and bars; shops and boutiques; a bakery; and 30 apartments for permanent residence. Cars will not be permitted on the site and a new aerial tramway will grant access to visitors. Special attention will be paid to preserving the surrounding natural habitat.

This project is now largely supported by the French Government as the best way to preserve and develop this example of architectural heritage, in an efficient and economical way.

The development will be a “public – private” project: public due to the its benefits for the city’s development and employment, justifying a favourable fiscal treatment, and private as it will be realised with a completely private investment and management strategy.

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MANUELINE STYLE MONASTERY AND CHURCH OF JESUS IN SETÚBAL (PORTUGAL), 2013 7ME LIST – HUGO O’NEILL, PRESIDENT OF THE PORTUGUESE HISTORICAL HOUSES ASSOCIATION

Hugo O’Neill outlined the serious risk of collapse facing the 15th-century Manueline style building when the site was nominated to the 7 Most Endangered programme in 2013. A previous unsuccessful attempt to save it, its subsequent abandonment, and later, a lack of understanding between the owner, the administrator and the author of a rehabilitation project had led to its endangered state. A lack of funds to finance the works was and continues to be a problem.

The nomination of the site to the 7 Most Endangered programme, together with an urgent provision of mainly EU funds allowed the execution of emergency works which had a very positive impact in reaching an understanding amongst the parties involved and enabling the drafting of a less ambitious but more feasible rehabilitation plan and the access to the required funds to start the first stage of recovery.

The works are now progressing with a short delay but their completion requires a further investment of €4.5 million for which the Municipality is now seeking funding alternatives. An important part of the works involves the establishment of the museum of Setubal, the most important component of which is a unique painting collection of the early 16th century which was commissioned to fit the church altar.

Finally it was suggested that a reference to the life story that led to the construction of the convent should be emphasized as it was the cause that directed the architect to attach a human message to the structural pieces of the monument, the first of a new archetype that became known as the Manueline Style – the tangible memory that sustains the intangible understanding of Portuguese cultural heritage.

ROŞIA MONTANĂ MINING LANDSCAPE IN TRANSYLVANIA (ROMANIA), 2013 7ME LIST CLAUDIA APOSTOL, ARA ASSOCIATION

Claudia Apostol underlined the long-term support of Europa Nostra in campaigning for the preservation of Rosia Montana and the widespread mobilisation of civil society in Romania in favour of the site.

From 2007, the ARA Association organised summer schools, exhibits and debates, and in 2012 launched The Adopt a House Programme. The programme connects local owners of historic buildings with donors and volunteers. The summer conservation camps are focused on built heritage, ensuring it is well taken care of and transmitted to future generations. ARA’s long-term goal is to produce change through the power of community-based and volunteersupported historic preservation using heritage as a motor for sustainable development, where the investment of time and energy on the part of volunteers leads to love and appreciation for the heritage.

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The most valuable lesson learned from this experience is that independent efforts, totally detached from state decision-making, are at times the only way to ensure minimal interventions in emergency situations. Unfortunately, this also means that there is no access to European structural funds.

Claudia Apostol expressed the frustration felt concerning the decision to not inscribe Rosia Montana on both the World Heritage List and also on the World Heritage in Danger List this year, but highlighted that one benefit of the proceedings is that it is now indisputable that Rosia Montana has the potential to be listed as a UNESCO site. She underlined that she believes Rosia Montana will be a UNESCO site but that civil society in Romania needs to continue to fight for it. She also called for a concrete, large scale heritage protection programme, suitable for the particularly delicate case of Rosia Montana.

HISTORIC STAGE MACHINERY OF THE BOURLA THEATRE, ANTWERP (BELGIUM), 2014 7ME LIST – CARL MEEUSEN, PROJECT MANAGER MASTER PLAN BOURLA THEATRE Carl Meeusen gave a brief history of the Bourla Theatre, a summary of the lessons learned when searching for a feasible solution for the theatre and the priorities that were set when formulating the Master Plan for the Theatre.

In 1993, a seriously dilapidated Bourla was restored which saved the theatre from demolition, yet its future remained uncertain. When the Toneelhouse theatre company moved in some years following the restoration, it soon became clear that the Bourla no longer met the needs of a modern theatre.

Minor modifications and improvements had been carried out over the years, but both the heritage aspect and today's needs were not taken into account.

In 2013, Toneelhouse and the City of Antwerp commissioned a study into the feasibility of a modern operational theatre in this historic theatre building. This report ultimately and unintentionally polarized the situation and led to the Bourla being listed as one of the ‘7 Most Endangered Monuments of Europe’ in 2014.

The first lesson that was learned from this was that the commissioned feasibility study was of limited use, as it failed to present any solutions and only served to polarise opinions.

Next it became clear that while nominating the Bourla to the 7 Most Endangered programme gave it a higher profile, it also further polarised the situation and unnecessarily narrowed down the discourse on the Bourla theatre to that of the stage machinery alone. Any solution for the stage machinery could only be reached proceeding from the building and the theatre as a whole.

With these lessons in mind, a solution for this polarised situation was sought, beginning in 2014.

The key to that solution lay in adopting a systematic, step-by-step approach.

Carl Meeusen identified a number of key priorities when drawing up the Master Plan:

“- that the appointed team was given time, space and funding to enable it to devise solutions.

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- that the team was given clearly defined objectives and a plan of needs that could be tested.

- that the team worked on realistic and feasible solutions.

And finally, - that all possible players were involved: the owner, the user, the heritage agency, the fire brigade, city planning, the public domain, the local archaeology department” among others.

The resulting Master Plan is based on thorough research and consulted with all stakeholders, taking into account contemporary needs and the value of the theatre’s heritage. Financial support is now needed for the project and it is hoped that the new administration of the City of Antwerp will support the project.

RENAISSANCE MONASTERY OF SAN BENEDETTO PO, NEAR MANTOVA; CITADEL OF ALESSANDRIA; VENICE LAGOON, (ITALY) – ROSSANA BETTINELLI, BOARD MEMBER OF EUROPA NOSTRA

Rossana Bettinelli offered several updates on the state of affairs in three listed sites to which she has visited and contributed to the missions. She highlighted that the 7 Most Endangered Programme has chosen among dozens of applications, sites at risk that are very different and for this reason the results obtained in the various sites in Europe that were selected in the Programme are also very different.

While the 7 Most Endangered Programme does not provide direct funding, the search for national or European funds is a major effort in almost all selected sites as they are a basic necessity for starting projects and restoration works, as in the case of the Monastery of San Benedetto Po.

Political changes took place in the municipalities of the three 7ME sites and as a consequence there was a lack of continuity of contacts with the representatives.

The most negative aspect to highlight is the fact that neither the nominators nor the municipalities have maintained contact with Europa Nostra after the missions on site took place, as in the cases of the Monastery of San Benedetto Po and the Municipality of Alessandria.

On the other hand, in Venice, the nomination of the Venice Lagoon helped Italia Nostra to draw attention to the issues and provided support and publicity for subsequent actions and mobilisation for the safeguarding of the Lagoon, as in the case of the Arsenale and the Museum on the Lagoon island of the Old Lazzaretto.

Last but not least, Rossana Bettinelli expressed her opinion that Europa Nostra should further involve the European Commission in the development of the 7ME sites. Rossana Bettinelli concluded her remarks but stating that the cultural diplomacy of Europa Nostra was very positive as in the emblematic case of the Buffer Zone in Nicosia.

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DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE FUTURE NADA HOSKING, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS, GLOBAL HERITAGE FUND

Nada Hosking underlined how essential partnerships have been to the success of several globally implemented programmes related to heritage conservation. Ms. Hosking emphasised that effective partnerships are central to the Global Heritage Fund’s work. “True success is built on a collaborative framework where all stakeholders have an essential role to play”, she stated.

Ms. Hosking introduced a few projects that are currently being implemented by the Global Heritage Fund (GHF) that illustrate the strategy and methodology of the organisation.

The first was a project in Dali, a Dong minority village in Guizhou, China. In addition to conservation activities, GHF engages local women through a textile initiative and empowers them economically so that they have a tangible reason to become invested in their heritage beyond vague notions of pride or cultural value. A training programme that was launched at Sagalassos in Turkey with The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven was next presented and focuses on developing vocational skills that benefit both the community and the conservation of the site, and offered participants an accredited diploma from the University on completion of a course.

In the Saxon villages of Transylvania, GHF created social enterprises that produce traditional tiles to safeguard the villages’ famous roof landscapes, while in the Anti-Atlas region of Morocco, a project to restore a network of granaries has led to the direct engagement with communities with flexibility to adapt the restoration to the local social, economic, and political contexts. In this project, GHF works with community councils to organise the restoration and better management of sites, and to create learning opportunities for local stakeholders so that they can become stewards of their own heritage. Local skilled craftsmen, who will be trained in traditional building techniques, will undertake each intervention, and through this inclusive process, they will be able to transfer their knowledge to help apprentices improve their skills. Initiatives will also be implemented which support the local government’s development of sustainable tourism, which in turn will leads to income generation and improved infrastructure.

Ms. Hosking underlined that empowering people with economic levers leads to them reinvesting themselves in their culture and heritage. Economics lead furthermore to pride in place and veneration of cultural heritage.

Regarding institutional partnerships, Ms. Hosking explained that while GHF currently relies more on Public-Private Partnerships, their goal is to further develop integrated partnerships that emphasise transformation over transaction. She affirmed that organisations in both the public and private sectors should come together with a shared cause for the benefit of sites and their surrounding communities, empowering them to meet conservation needs.

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EU POLICIES AND ACTION FOR HERITAGE AT RISK ERMINIA SCIACCHITANO, CHIEF SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR OF THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF CULTURAL HERITAGE 2018, DG EDUCATION AND CULTURE, EUROPEAN COMMISSION

In In her presentation, Erminia Sciacchitano highlighted that it is easy to attract public attention to cultural heritage that is dramatically damaged while the more common forms of destruction, such as catastrophes, but incompetence and negligence act in a more subtle and “silent” way and can be more challenging to combat.

The component of memory is therefore a key to address risk to cultural heritage. It is easy for a community to lose the link with the history and meaning of their cultural heritage, and the values it embeds. This was the purpose of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, which invited Europeans to re-connect with, and re-discover, their cultural heritage, as a shared resource that can help us shape Europe’s future.

Some results have already been gained in 2018 with 3.6 million people reached so far and with European Heritage Days, a further 30 million people were reached. Raising awareness of the need for

conserving heritage has also been done through schemes like Erasmus + and the eTwinning platform. Another key initiative was the European Heritage Label, attributed to sites for their symbolic value and the role they have played in the European history, helping us to rediscover at the same time, local values and what binds us together as Europeans.

Sensitising the younger generation to the importance of cultural heritage is of primary importance, since they are the heirs of our shared cultural heritage. Specific tools for teachers and students have been developed during the Year, involving 500,000 education professionals. 15,000 young Europeans were also engaged through the DiscoverEU programme. Volunteers through the European Solidarity Corps have also been engaged and participants to the conference were encouraged to reflect on how this initiative could help their organisations.

Exchanges of best practices on adaptive reuse and sustainable cultural tourism have also been facilitated. An ebook entitled “Connecting Cultures, Connecting Citizens” by the DG Regio has been produced regarding 70 successful INTER-REG projects where the EU has contributed to the safeguarding of cultural heritage sites.

In order to address the risk to heritage there is need for a deeper and long-term strategic approach to achieve durable and sustainable results. In order to do so, the Year has also been an opportunity to ensure a better protection and sustainability of Europe’s cultural heritage. The European Parliament, the European Committee of the Regions, the Social and Economic Committee and 12 Directorates general of the Commission , 36 stakeholders, 28 Member states and 9 associated countries are working hard to make the Year a success. A strategy has been developed by the European Commission, adopting an integrated, holistic and participatory approach, engaging all of these actors but also allowing very specific and targeted objectives as it is equally important to be able to show the results of the strategy and work that is being done. The strategy is built around 4 pillars: Engagement; Sustainability; Protection; Innovation. In this presentation, Erminia Sciacchitano focused on the pillars of Protection and Innovation.

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Protection is one of the most important pillars of the strategy. Assessing risk has been of particular focus, including avoiding inappropriate interventions at heritage sites which can lead to destruction of heritage. The development of quality principles and guidelines for cultural heritage interventions together with ICOMOS, Europa Nostra and other key stakeholders is being looked at with the production of a document to address

the topic. The working version of this document was presented at the conference “Cherishing Heritage - Quality principles for intervention on cultural heritage� which took place in Venice on 22 and 23 November 2018.

Best practice examples, from laureates of the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards related to heritage conservation, management, research, education and communication are progressively being expanded on with greater focus on the benefits that cultural heritage brings to local communities.

Regarding heritage at risk, Erminia Sciacchitano also highlighted that there is now a wider understanding that the illicit trade of cultural goods could be carried out to fund terrorism and that the primary market for these artefacts is Europe. As a result, the regulatory framework for the protection of goods from illicit trade (which previously more effectively protected Europe’s heritage from export) is now under review and at the beginning of 2019, new regulations on import are expected to be adopted. The development of a tool, capacity building activities in cooperation with UNESCO within the art market and the enforcing authorities will also help to curb these activities. This is one example of how we can implement the strategy at European level using an integrated and participatory approach.

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A study on the dimension of illicit trade of cultural goods in the EU and the use of new technology to combat it will be ready in 2019. This is important as it shows that at a global level, cultural heritage has a place among the objectives.

Another important study was also presented: Safeguarding Cultural Heritage from Natural and Man-Made Disasters, commissioned by the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture of the European Commission, with the aim to contribute to the development of good practices to integrate cultural heritage into national disaster and risk reduction strategies developed by EU Member States.

Natural and man-made hazards, anthropogenic effects and extreme climate change events, are persistently putting the cultural heritage of Europe under pressure, with a daily incremental frequency. In addition, such disasters and catastrophes compound the conservation challenges and needs of the heritage assets. These events also menace the assets’ social, cultural, historic and artistic values, the safety of citizens, and have an impact on local economies linked to tourism.

Consequently, research on adaptation strategies, methodologies and other remedial tools is crucial, in order to safeguard Europe's cultural heritage from the continuous pressures it faces and the related decay, inducing consequences.

The Study presents a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge, at European and international level, on safeguarding cultural heritage from the effects of natural disasters and threats caused by human action. Furthermore, it maps existing strategies and tools for disaster risk management in the 28 Member States, and provides evidence-based recommendations with the purpose of supporting European cooperation and improving the integration of cultural heritage in national platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction. The results also contribute to the integration of cultural heritage as a new focus area of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Erminia Sciacchitano also highlighted that the EU supports research and innovation in cultural heritage in all pillars of the Horizon 2020 programme and presented the Heritage Alive Initiative, developed by the Commission, where cultural heritage is considered as a strategic living resource to protect, conserve and transmit. She stressed that the EU has already invested over â‚Ź47 million targeting cultural heritage under threat of: natural and man-made disasters, abandonment and misuse, climate change effects. The EU integrated approach has promoted the development of advanced monitoring methods decision support systems, risk assessment models, new approaches and methods to build resilience against climate change effects, new business models to regenerate abandoned heritage assets and resilience and sustainable reconstruction methods for historic areas. She finally mentioned the European Fair of Innovators in Cultural Heritage, which took place on 15-16 November 2018 in Brussels where experts, researchers and those working in finance come together. A new community of innovators will be launched on this occasion.

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FUNDING FOR SAVING CULTURAL HERITAGE MONUMENTS AND SITES IN DANGER

TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO FUNDING CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR EUROPE BY MARIO AYMERICH, FORMER DIRECTOR, PROJECTS DIRECTORATE, EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK

Mario Aymerich began his presentation by explaining that the European Investment Bank Institute is one aspect of the social responsibility of the European Investment Bank and that the 7 Most Endangered programme is one of the EIB-I’s activities.

Mr. Aymerich discussed the various ways that a project related to cultural heritage can be funded.

Private investment; grant funding; lending; or a combination of these sources are 4 possible funding options. Mr. Aymerich explained that grants can be sourced from many different European funds as well as funds that may not be specifically targeted to cultural heritage, highlighting that in many cases, people do not know that grants which, for example, fall under Agricultural and Maritime policies are also available for cultural heritage projects. One challenge when approaching funding for heritage is to inform national and regional authorities how to make use of these funds.

Mario Americh presented one example of a national fund in Spain, wherein 1.5% of the budget dedicated to building major projects by the Ministry of Public Works (M. Fomento) is transferred to the Ministry of Culture to be reinvested in cultural heritage through different activities. This has allowed many cultural heritage sites in Spain to be restored. There are many other external both public and private funds that also offer opportunities outside of Europe. Some private funds also offer grants. The main obstacle is knowing that these sources exist.

For the EIBI and other financial institutions, it is important to know why certain projects should be funded and to evaluate proposals based on these criteria. In the field of cultural heritage, to demonstrate the reasons for investing in a project, many different aspects and benefits have to be considered and not just its financial value. The tools used for evaluation are varied and consider many aspects. Mr. Aymerich showed an example of a report that is prepared by the EIB-I, demonstrating that a global evaluation is sought to justify granting finance.

The preparation of a business plan outlines the value of the project and must contain three components: the object and planning, the technical and administrative feasibility studies and the economic/financial analysis. Elements forming part of this process are the content of the project, the location, the technical solution to be adopted, how the project will be used and managed, relevant administrative/legal aspects, how it will be maintained and operated, the impact on the environment and on society and its potential for attracting visitors. Finally, the economic and financial feasibility of the project is investigated, including its ability to generate economic benefits, from, for instance, income generated from sales, or indirect benefits such as the creation of employment in the area. Discussions with all relevant stakeholders are also important in the assessment to come to a conclusion.

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EEA AND NORWAY GRANTS SUPPORT TO REVITALISE CULTURAL HERITAGE IN EU COHESION COUNTRIES SHEAMUS CASSIDY, HEAD OF THE PRIORITY SECTORS UNIT, FINANCIAL MECHANISM OFFICE, EFTA Sheamus Cassidy began by stating that the aesthetic value of a site or the extent to which the site is considered important in heritage terms is naturally important, but in terms of the EEA and Norway Grants the role culture plays in contributing to strengthened social and economic development is seen as crucial: the way in which the monument is going to be used; what it will mean in terms of capacity development; what it means for social cohesion, whether the stakeholders have been involved in the development of the project are all seen as important elements.

In explaining what the EEA and Norway Grants aim to do, Mr. Cassidy used the example of the CVAR which was partly funded by the Grants. He stated that it was good to see that the organisation, set up to be a platform for the exchange of knowledge, for capacity development and greater mutual understanding, is doing exactly that in a remarkable area in Nicosia and is bringing about change. In this regard, it is important to remember that culture goes beyond just ‘bricks and cement’. It encompasses values and it does have a role to play in sustainable social and economic development.

EEA and Norway Grants are part of the European Economic Area Agreement and are seen as an important financial instrument for Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to cooperate with the European Union. They address social and economic disparities in the EU cohesion countries and they stimulate bilateral cooperation through cultural players from the donor and the 15 beneficiary countries. Cooperation through programmes helps to develop capacity and contributes to accelerated exchange of knowledge and experience. The funding system works through the beneficiary countries, for example, through ministries of culture. The funding is granted to programmes which distribute the funding through open calls to selected projects that score high and are of very high quality.

Preparedness is extremely important in the grant cycle. Mr. Cassidy advised participants to work together with possible partners from beneficiary and donor countries and to prepare all necessary information well in advance.

In the Blue Book, the 5 priority sectors and 23 programme areas of the EEA and Norway Grants are outlined. Culture is included as its instrumental value is evident. Investment in culture has clear benefits and has clear value for money.

For the coming period approximately 170 million euro will be made available for currently 7 cultural heritage and cultural diversity programmes and projects in a number of European cohesion countries. In the previous period, 221 million euro was spent on more than 500 cultural projects in 14 cohesion countries. This apparent lower number of countries with culture programmes is due to the fact that in some countries, for example, culture falls under local development programmes and

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furthermore Memoranda of Understanding have not yet been concluded with all beneficiary countries..

In the development of programmes and in the development of the Blue Book, everything has followed a bottom up approach, in consultation with stakeholders within the beneficiary countries, with the aim being to get their input early on in the process. The results of this approach have already had great benefits.

The Home for Cooperation in Nicosia is a highly successful project and is a winner of the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards. This project was funded not through the culture programme but from the civil society programme and is one example of funding for cultural heritage coming from other programmes.

When thinking of heritage at risk, the most expensive projects often first come to mind. However, in the case of the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum World Heritage Site in Malta, a small grant to limit damage caused by tourism by better managing the environment has brought about significant changes.

Two calls are about to be launched in Bulgaria and Romania and participants were invited by Mr. Cassidy to revert to the website to find further details. Regarding results of the 2009-2014 period more information can be found here: https://data.eeagrants.org/grants/?sector=Protecting+Cultural+Heritage

EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND MARCO PINO, POLICY ANALYST, DG REGIONAL AND URBAN POLICY, EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Marco Pino began his presentation by explaining the basics of the European Cohesion Policy which delivers many other policy objectives such as those dealing with education, employment, energy, the environment, the single market, research and innovation. Cultural heritage is present in many ERDF funding categories. By 2020 the EU aims to meet five concrete objectives – on employment, innovation, education, social inclusion, and climate/energy.

Each Member State has adopted its own national targets in these areas. In order to reach these goals and address the diverse development needs in all EU regions, EUR 351.8 billion – almost a third of the total EU budget – has been set aside for the Cohesion Policy for 2014-2020. Programmes are managed and individual projects selected by Managing Authorities in the Member States.

The limit for small infrastructure investments in cultural heritage have been increased from €5m to up to €20m by ERDF when the project contributes to broader development plans and infrastructure and when it is listed as UNESCO World Heritage.

Under the current programming period of the EU's Cohesion Policy (2014-2020), cultural heritage is specifically targeted under the thematic objective “preserving and protecting the environment

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and promoting resource efficiency”, and through the associated investment priority “conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and cultural heritage”. In addition, there are funding opportunities under other thematic objectives such as research and innovation, information and communication technologies, SME competitiveness, employment-friendly growth through the development of endogenous potential, social inclusion and education. For the post 2020 programming period, the actual 11 objectives have been simplified and consolidated into 5 policy objectives: 1. A smarter Europe (innovative & smart economic transformation) 2. A greener, low-carbon Europe (including energy transition, the circular economy, climate adaptation and risk management) 3. A more connected Europe (mobility and ICT connectivity) 4. A more social Europe (the European Pillar of Social Rights) 5. A Europe closer to citizens (sustainable development of urban, rural and coastal areas and local initiatives)

Cultural heritage is seen as a driver of economic growth and social inclusion and is in many ways a contemporary and “living” cultural resource in Europe. Hosting heritage sites and effectively managing them has proved to be a strategic asset which contributes to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Cultural heritage can also play a strategic role in helping cities and regions improve their attractiveness, and it contributes to strengthening a common European identity while promoting cultural diversity and sense of belonging.

Even though cultural heritage is certainly a European shared resource, it is at the local level that it features the most important development potential. The most recent research and contemporary projects show that the revitalisation of historic areas and the safeguarding of cultural heritage can provide important benefits to local economies. As cultural heritage helps to distinguish from other towns in the global competition, it is a key asset to brand cities and regions and raise their international outlook with the aim of attracting not only visitors, but also talents, businesses and investments. The promotion and valorisation of cultural heritage can be instrumental for the regeneration of areas facing challenges such as de-industrialisation, lack of attractiveness and the shift to the new economy. A rich and varied European heritage has great potential to promote lesser known places and develop sustainable cultural tourism.

RegioStars Awards 2018 identified good practices in regional development and highlighted original and innovative projects that are attractive and inspiring to other regions.

Marco Pino concluded his presentation by outlining some actions that Europa Nostra could take to encourage synergies between Research & Innovation and European Regional Development Funds: • •

Inform EU direct funding beneficiaries (H2020, Creative Europe) on ERDF funding opportunities Inform cultural heritage actors in a country/region currently involved in ERDF funding on H2020 funding possibilities

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• •

•

Help teaming up with innovators in the Cultural Heritage domain from other countries, e.g. for joining H2020 proposals / consortia Offer advice to managing authorities and current ERDF beneficiaries on H2020 evaluation processes, model grant agreements, financial viability check tool, etc. (e.g. in view of taking over good practices ; or in view of applications to H2020) Explain Cordis and Innovation Radar to identify H2020 projects in the country / region (e.g. in view of involving the H2020 beneficiaries in the entrepreneurial discovery process for the revision of the Smart Specialisation Strategies; or for exploring possibilities for ERDF funding for getting innovation into the cultural heritage market).

PROTECTING THE PAST, ANTICIPATING THE FUTURE: FOUNDATIONS’ PERSPECTIVES ON FUNDING CULTURAL HERITAGE MYRTO HATZAKI, GREEK PROGRAMMES AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER, A.G. LEVENTIS FOUNDATION

Myrto Hatzaki started her presentation with a question - “Should a charitable foundation fund heritage, when there is so much poverty in the world?” - and proceeded to advocate for the value of funding the conservation of monuments and heritage sites in danger, arguing that such initiatives in fact touch upon the ‘core business’ of charitable Foundations around the world, by being about more than ‘just’ culture.

By also touching upon priorities such as poverty alleviation and sustainable development that lie at the heart of what many charitable Foundations see key to their agenda.

Dr. Hatzaki underlined how the destruction of heritage -and even images of the destruction of heritage- can be powerful signifiers, mainly because heritage sites represent more than just a tangible monument, representing, symbolically, entire cities, cultures and civilisations: “An attack on a cultural icon [is] also a blow to the belief systems, and the values of a large part of the world”.

If the influence of cultural heritage is all-pervasive, then it must also follow that threats to heritage also connect to broader issues. War and conflict, changing social and economic conditions, poverty and climate change, are all described as exacerbating factors that place heritage at risk. This in itself, opens up opportunities for those seeking funding to preserve heritage to formulate proposals that focus on these larger issues. This enables organizations to reach out beyond charitable Foundations with a cultural focus, to non-specialist Foundations that may offer new sources of revenue for heritage projects. In doing so, it is instrumental to point out how cultural heritage is linked to community development; how it can help build partnerships; how it can be linked to growth, to job creation, to the alleviation of poverty, to building for the future by preserving the past, how it can help preserve the traditions of local communities by turning them into a stepping stone for something new.

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Several projects were highlighted as successful examples of such initiatives, including projects funded by the A. G. Leventis Foundation – such as the restoration of the last surviving watermill in the village of Agios Germanos in Prespa - a winner of the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award in 2016. The restored monument –part museum, part functional mill- saw the close collaboration with the local community, the preservation of traditional skills, and considerable efforts to provide additional employment and educational opportunities.

Structuring a project proposal that is not just about the monument or the site in danger but also, for instance, about job creation, about building social cohesion, about seeing, in heritage sites, the inherent, opportunities to protect biodiversity and culture in the same space, can make all the difference when addressing a charitable Foundation. “Protecting cultural heritage in danger in changing times means taking up new challenges and new opportunities. The challenges involve structuring proposals that are multi-faceted: that take on more than just the monument itself. And therein also lies the opportunities: of making a difference on many levels; of designing projects embracing local, environmental and socio-economic needs”, she concluded.

CROWDFUNDING FOR ENDANGERED HERITAGE KLEITIA ZEQO, CROWDFUNDING ADVISOR AND CONSULTANT AT TECHNOPOLIS GROUP

In her presentation, Kleitia Zeqo identified the potential of crowdfunding for heritage. She outlined how traditional funding, such as from banks or government grants, can be difficult as these have to meet criteria for a clear return on investment or a policy agenda respectively. Crowdfunding offers a new form of alternative finance especially for cultural initiatives, as it requires no specific criteria and individuals can become more engaged and give support to projects they feel passionate about.

Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet. With around 2000 crowdfunding platforms operating in Europe, most of whom ore for-profit organisations which take a percentage of the amounts raised by campaigners, it can be said that there is almost a platform for every type of sector or project, ranging from development aid to real estate investments. Crowdfunding has been used to fund a wide range of for-profit, entrepreneurial ventures such as artistic and creative projects or community-oriented social entrepreneurship projects. Ms. Zeqo identified four crowdfunding models:

1. Donations: where individuals donate money and do no expect any return; 2. Rewards crowdfunding: where individuals expect a reward in return for their donations; 3. Equity crowdfunding: whereby backers can become shareholders in return for investments; and 4. Peer 2 Peer lending: which allos individuals to lend money to projects or companies for an interest rate (usually higher than the banks).

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Reward campaigns are still the main kind of campaigns that are launched in the cultural sector.

According to the “Crowdfunding: Reshaping the Crowd’s Engagement in Culture” study published in November 2017 by Idea Consult, the European Crowdfunding Network & Ecorys, which Ms Zeqo co-authored, there are considerable differences in the amount of crowdfunding campaigns across Europe. The study found that between 2013 and 2016, around 75 000 campaigns were launched in the cultural and creative sectors in Europe. A total of 247 million was raised by more than 3.7 million supporters/backers. However, compared to other sectors, heritage is considerably lagging behind in both the number of campaigns launched and the amount of money raised. The Film & Audiovisual category topped both of these categories. Heritage could more greatly benefit from crowdfunding. The crowdfunding app used by the Vatican, the multiple campaigns by The Louvre to fund restorations and acquisitions and the French platform Dartagnans are key examples of how crowdfunding can be used successfully for heritage. The benefits of using crowdfunding go beyond funding, said Ms Zeqo. More specifically, it can be used as a tool for: • • • • • •

Innovative fundraising Community building Reaching out to donors across the world Audience development Increasing transparency with donors and community Marketing.

The potential for Europa Nostra’s members and the 7 Most Endangered programme is considerable due to the organisation’s sizeable network. It could raise local and international awareness and support for a site; engage with local businesses and donors; support local authorities to mobilise private financial support; bring investment to sites through loan & equity models; raise funding to kickstart a part of a rehabilitation; provide additional funding for existing sources of finance (matchfunding). In order to do so, stakeholders could identify the crowdfunding potential per site; partner with a crowdfunding platform or create a new one and include a financial officer or crowdfunding expert in the Mission to the site.

It should be remembered that crowdfunding is not “easy money”, that cultural campaigns have a 50% success rate and that successful campaigns take on average 4 months to complete. Preparation and resources are fundamental to successful campaigns.

Kleitia Zeqo reminded the audience to make use of the free website www.crowdfunding4culture.eu for more information on crowdfunding, its models as well as the numerous platforms (http://www.crowdfunding4culture.eu/platforms-map) operating in the cultural sectors. The website also contains numerous campaign examples (http://www.crowdfunding4culture.eu/casestudies) to help guide creatives who are thinking about launching a campaign as well as it includes a list of useful resources. The report ‘Crowdfunding: reshaping the crowd’s engagement in culture’ and its dedicated website crowdfunding4culture have been funded by the European Commission.

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BEST PRACTICES OF SAVING ENDANGERED SITES BY WINNERS OF THE EU PRIZE FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE / EUROPA NOSTRA AWARDS SIX CHURCHES IN LORCA (SPAIN), WINNER OF AN EU PRIZE FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE / EUROPA NOSTRA AWARD 2016 JUAN DE DIOS DE LA HOZ MARTINEZ, ARCHITECT, LAVILA ARQUITECTOS S.L.P.

The restoration works on six churches in Lorca began after the Earthquake in 2011, which killed nine people, injured over 400, and left over 23,000 houses and 250 historical buildings damaged or ruined.

148 buildings of heritage value were affected, of which 52 had to be demolished. Fortunately, soon after the earthquake, all of the authorities and private administrators got involved in the drafting and approval of a Master Plan and provided financial help that reached a figure of almost 65 million Euro. This Master Plan for the restoration and recovery of the cultural heritage of Lorca, distributed the budget available and arranged for the works to be done in the 77 most important buildings affected.

In all restoration work, traditional materials and techniques were used and rigid elements such as reinforced concrete were avoided. In this way, the stones, bricks, timber, lime, and the colour of the paintings become once again the main characters of the building, having been hidden for centuries under layers of inadequate materials.

As a main principle, the architects sought to recover not only the religious space, but also the monument’s surroundings: the streets, squares and even the image of the domes and bell towers of the city. The new elements are clearly recognisable and differ from the original building.

CONVERSION OF DE HOORN BREWERY INTO A CREATIVE HUB, LEUVEN (BELGIUM), WINNER OF AN EU PRIZE FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE / EUROPA NOSTRA AWARD 2016 KOEN VAN BALEN, DIRECTOR OF THE RAYMOND LEMAIRE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR CONSERVATION, KU LEUVEN Koen van Balen presented this project on behalf of De Hoorn. The Conversion of De Hoorn Brewery saw an unused building, famed for being the home of the Stella Artois beer, transformed into a Creative Hub by a group of local entrepreneurs from various cultural and creative organisations. The completed result is an exemplary restoration of a beautiful industrial monument, with clever additions to accommodate its new occupants. Koen van Balen highlighted that this project is closely aligned with the pillars of the report “Cultural Heritage Counts for Europe”. This report identified 4 pillars or streams in cultural heritage that generate energy. For the conversion of De Hoorn Brewery, the economic, social, cultural and environmental streams are each well addressed. Economically, the creative hub supports start-up

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businesses and operates its cafes and restaurants with a social economic model. Cultural events take place there and its economic activities are strongly tied to the creative and cultural fields.

The reuse of buildings in itself is proven to be more environmentally friendly than the demolition and reconstruction of a new building. The repurposing of the space for creative industries is also well suited as it has been shown that working in old buildings is more conducive to productivity in creative industries. The heating and cooling system that is used in the building is also completely sustainable.

Koen van Balen called for similar sites to adopt a similar approach explaining that it is necessary to start with plans for the sustainable management and development of sites rather than purely the restoration of the buildings.

HERMES: HERMOUPOLIS DIGITAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT (GREECE), WINNER OF AN EU PRIZE FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE / EUROPA NOSTRA AWARD 2015 PAVLOS CHATZIGRIGORIOU, DIGITAL HERITAGE EXPERT AND DEVELOPER OF HERMES

Hermoupolis is a unique city that was built from scratch in the 19th century. It faces many challenges in terms of heritage management with the condition of the buildings especially declining in the 1980s with several historic buildings having been lost. HERMES is a system that enables the prioritisation of building conservation throughout a city by a “points system” relating to a number of key factors.

Each building is evaluated based on its current state. The HERMES algorithm tries to identify the critical point where some sort of maintenance is essential to save a building from total collapse, at least for 5-10 years. 157 buildings are currently registered as endangered in Hermoupolis so this system allows the identification of which building should be saved first.

To enable a greater amount of people to use the system, it is now open source which has led to greater feedback from different sectors and greater community engagement. Following the receipt of the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award in 2015, the programme took off. The INTER-REG BalkanMediterranean IRC-HERMES project has now launched and HERMES will be applied in several cities including Gjirokastra, Ohrid, Corfu and Samos. The second project is in cooperation with the University of the Aegean and the Bank of the Piraeus. This new project connects the museum with the intangible heritage of the local village. The use of mobile gaming apps will help to create this link, focused on kids.

A new grant, received in October 2018 from the European Heritage Days entitled ‘European Heritage Stories’, will allow the connection of 100 local stories from local people to 100 buildings in Hermoupolis, as chosen by the community. The stories will be digitised and people (locals and visitors) can then access the stories via QR codes which will be placed outside the buildings.

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24 OCTOBER 2018

THE ‘BUFFER ZONE’ OF THE HISTORIC CENTRE OF NICOSIA

ANDROULLA VASSILIOU, VICE-PRESIDENT OF EUROPA NOSTRA

Androulla Vassiliou opened the second day of the conference by reflecting on the effect the Buffer Zone has on the wider city of Nicosia and highlighted the work of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots along with international organisations to reach a common goal of saving the Buffer Zone by restoring its important buildings, developing its potential to be the vital core of the city.

Mrs. Vassiliou highlighted that the area, before the city was divided was one “where all communities of Cyprus intermingled peacefully for centuries”.

She underlined how now, the Buffer Zone “cuts across the heart of Nicosia forming a lifeless corridor disrupting the city’s cohesion and continuity. There are about 265 buildings on this strip of land, among which, beautiful medieval churches, schools, elegant neoclassical buildings, shops and workshops, crumbling from decades’ of neglect”. Recalling the selection of the Buffer Zone as one of the 7 Most Endangered heritage sites in Europe in 2013 by Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute, Androulla Vassiliou underlined that the area was nominated not just for its historical and symbolic significance but also for “its authenticity and the cultural, social and economic potential it represents”.

While introducing the first speaker of the morning, the UN Secretary General’s Representative to Cyprus and Head of the UNFICYP, Ms Elizabeth Spehar, Mrs. Vassiliou commended Ms. Spehar’s “genuine interest in encouraging joint activities between members of the two communities thus strengthening our bi communal relations which will be instrumental in making a future agreement between our two communities, workable” and the UN and its Secretary General’s “untiring efforts to help Cyprus and its people find their way towards a lasting peace”.

ELIZABETH SPEHAR, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF UN SECRETARY GENERAL AND CHIEF OF MISSION OF UNFICYP Elizabeth Spehar opened her address by highlighting the synergies between what the UN is aiming to achieve and the ethos of Europa Nostra, in Ms. Spehar’s words: “enabling and empowering individuals to preserve and protect institutions of note for future generations”. Ms. Spehar noted that the concept of local ownership and the building of capacities to combat the major challenges of today is the foundation of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and underlined how the 7 Most Endangered Programme seeks the commitment of civil society to protection and preservation of historical sites across Europe.

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Ms. Spehar focused on the work the UN has carried out in Nicosia and Cyprus and emphasised how important preserving common and sometimes distinctive cultures on both sides of the divide is and how the creation of accessible spaces for Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and others to meet is an area in which Cypriot civil society plays a vital role. Bi-communal Technical Committees, established by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders help improve the daily lives of Cypriots, such as the Cultural Heritage technical committee which has overseen the preservation or restoration of numerous historical sites at a cost of approximately 15 million euro.

“UNFICYP is supportive of the Nicosia Master Plan’s collaborative study on the buffer zone, which provides recommendations regarding heritage protection, urban planning and design”, Ms. Spehar stated and explained that the Civil Affairs Section of UNFICYP works with the Nicosia Master Plan to complete the Nicosia area scheme for urban planning, promote the creation of a joint Master Plan for the Buffer Zone and, hopefully, to map the old water and sewerage channels. Ms. Spehar also acknowledged the calls from various stakeholders, including the two representatives of the two communities of Nicosia and experts from the Nicosia Master Plan for the opening of two additional pedestrian crossing points across the Buffer Zone to connect religious and market areas. “It is hoped that the additional Nicosia crossings may soon have a chance to be considered. When this happens, it could lead to a remarkable step forward in protecting some of the unique heritage in that part of the Buffer Zone, pertaining to this magnificent old city, and the UN will certainly be ready to do its part”, Ms. Spehar stated.

Ms. Spehar drew attention to the buildings in the Buffer Zone which are in a state of disrepair and which do pose a risk to patrolling personnel and highlighted the importance of reinforcing the St. George Church and the St. Jacob Church.

Former Heads of Mission at UNFICYP as well as Ms. Spehar have supported the efforts of the Embassy of Sweden and the Office of the Religious Track (RTCYPP) to address the matter. In 2017, the Bi-Communal Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage and UNDP-PFF agreed that they would ensure reinforcements of the two churches. The Head of Mission of the UNFICYP noted that due to the decision of Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute, religious leaders of Cyprus and the communities they represent, along with the political leaders of both sides, became joint advocates of the initiative to preserve these two historic monuments.

She noted that “in spite of the challenges associated with achieving such ends related to the Buffer Zone, I am heartened to see a place that stands traditionally for separation, slowly but surely become an area - - geographic and symbolic - - that can bring the two communities together”.

Elizabeth Spehar concluded her speech with a call to all conference participants: “Let us all try our best to contribute to a culture of peace and assume our shared duty to future generations by honouring the proud heritage of all humanity.”

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THE NICOSIA MASTER PLAN PROJECT AND THE APPROACH TO THE “BUFFER ZONE”TECHNICAL CHALLENGES AND BICOMMUNAL COOPERATION BY AGNI PETRIDOU, FORMER HEAD, NICOSIA MASTER PLAN (GREEK CYPRIOT TEAM) & COUNCIL MEMBER OF EUROPA NOSTRA, AND ALI GÜRALP, HEAD, NICOSIA MASTER PLAN (TURKISH CYPRIOT TEAM)

Ali Güralp began this presentation about the “Nicosia Master Plan” (NMP) and its objectives by explaining that the foundation of the bi-communal multidisciplinary team was formed with both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot young professionals in order to prepare a common planning strategy for Nicosia. The plan was borne of the necessity to improve the sewerage system in the city but soon extended to prepare an holistic plan for the city. The project was placed under the umbrella of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The NMP aimed to address a number of challenges namely: the division of the town into two separate urban parts; the abandonment of the city’s core adjoining the buffer zone; and the extensive urban sprawl towards the outskirts.

The NMP team aim to improve the living conditions of all the inhabitants of Nicosia and to do this a flexible plan was drafted which is adaptable to changing circumstances and to accommodate differences.

The historic centre has for many years been subject to neglect and socio-economic decline which resulted in loss of population and employment and the deterioration of its architectural and environmental quality. A cultural heritage-based plan was adopted to address these issues with a focus on the restoration of the Walled City. To achieve their goal, there are ‘twin’ colleagues and ‘twin’ projects with common objectives, aiming to restore both monumental areas and residential areas to attract people back to the city centre such as the “Chrysaliniotissa - Arabahmet” Housing Rehabilitation Programmes which aimed to attract new residents in the old city, by increasing the available housing units (funded by USAID through UNHCR & UNDP) and the Kyrenia Avenue & Ledra Street Pedestrian Scheme which aimed to make the traditional commercial axis competitive to the other business centres of the city (funded by the European Union). The “Info-Box” Project was the first centre to be managed commonly by a bi-communal team and aimed to provide information concerning the bi-communal projects.

Another project, the “Walled City Walking Tour” is unique in that it shows a map with both parts of Nicosia and recommends a route linking both sides of Old City.

The Buffer Zone Project was targeted to prepare a detailed record of the architectural heritage that exists in the area and to prepare the architectural survey of the facades of 265 buildings. It aimed to elaborate possible measures for emergency intervention to support collapsing buildings. The project was funded by USAID through UNDP. Though much has not yet been achieved due to the great obstacles regarding access, planning continues so that when permission is granted, they will be ready to begin with emergency interventions. A Master Plan for the area is currently being prepared for this purpose.

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Agni Petridou presented the urban planning process that has been followed by the bi-communal team for the city of Nicosia which still faces physical partition. The aim of the team was to prepare a flexible plan that will respond to changing political circumstances and will keep the potential for the divided city to function in unity in case the political circumstances will allow its reunification.

The planning process for a divided city requires a new agenda in order to achieve success. It faces complex urban issues and constraints, such as unstable political & economic conditions and lack of confidence. Negotiations are needed to achieve good collaboration in order to rebuild infrastructure; to address the needs of run-down areas and to agree on priorities and the distribution of funding. It is also important to establish commonly accepted institutions and mechanisms for the implementation of the plan.

The NMP is frequently updated in order to assess the achievements and constraints to the success of its planning strategies and to revise the objectives for the city according to new trends and needs.

All the proposals of the NMP included two scenarios: one for the city as it is now, with the existence of the buffer zone, and one for an integral city without the buffer zone.

The “New Vision” Bi-communal Planning Strategy for the future development of the core of Nicosia (2003 - 2005) incorporates proposals for priority projects around key heritage landmarks which represent common heritage. These ‘action areas’ that will support the regeneration process include parts of the buffer zone and areas across it. The international community and public participation was also considered when choosing priority projects for the NMP with stakeholders from all communities invited to give their input. The “New Vision” was not compulsory for either part of the city but is a guiding strategy for the preparation of a detailed development plan for both sides.

The new Area Scheme for the Greek Cypriot Community arrived at the conclusion that due to the long lasting abandonment of the city centre cannot be developed as the only commercial core of Nicosia. The new strategy focuses on the promotion of the core as a multifunctional centre for the benefit of all the communities living in the City. The Area Scheme for the Turkish Cypriot community will be prepared soon.

During the last year the Nicosia Master Plan carried out an urban design project for the core of the historic centre which comprises the medieval monumental complex and other historic buildings as well as part of the Buffer Zone that runs between them. This particular area was selected as a key priority project on the basis of its symbolic and historical significance and needs to be preserved and developed with care not only because of its major cultural importance but also in order to keep its potential to have a significant role in the future functional integration of the City.

The Special Development Area of the core of the walled city is aiming to become a new destination in the heart of the walled city and a focal point for creative and innovative activities. Its main corridor will cut across the two markets which currently operate within a declining socio-economic environment. At the same time, it will assist in the regeneration of these abandoned areas and will take advantage of the opportunity to restore and re-use empty or under-used workshop spaces.

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“THE BUFFER ZONE STUDIES” JOINT EFFORT AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR A SHARED VISION BY ATHINA PAPADOPOULOU, HEAD, NICOSIA MASTER PLAN (GREEK CYPRIOT TEAM), AND GUL OZTEK , FORMER MEMBER OF THE BUFFER ZONE TEAM, CONSERVATION ARCHITECT

Athina Papadopoulou presented a comprehensive overview of the framework, objectives and methodologies employed by the Nicosia Master Plan (NMP) team when carrying out the survey of the architectural heritage of the Buffer Zone, underlining its historical importance and its contemporary potential to be “the most important ‘gluing’ area for the functional integration of the city” and how their collaborative efforts sent a clear and positive message for a peaceful and prosperous future in Cyprus.

“The preservation, revitalization and functional integration of the historic urban fabric and the architectural heritage in the Buffer Zone is therefore of utmost importance to the city”, she stated.

In 2001, the NMP began the project, carried out by a bi-communal team of young architects and engineers, who worked within the restricted area of the Buffer Zone in the Walled City, recording and surveying its rich architectural heritage. It was the first time that a bi-communal team was allowed to work in the Buffer Zone on a daily basis. The aim of this project was to record the architectural heritage in the area, evaluate its architectural and environmental qualities and prepare emergency intervention proposals for buildings. The project was firstly supported by the Bi-communal Development Programme, funded by USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and UNDP (United Nations Development Programme).

The output of this research includes historical analysis for the Walled City and its central area, surveys of buildings and public spaces, architectural, photographic and technical records, studies for emergency support of endangered buildings, conservation and restoration proposals.

Among the project objectives were:

❏ To prepare an analytical architectural and structural condition survey of the facades of the buildings, streets and infrastructure systems, in digital format, to be used as a database for future studies and projects. ❏ To prepare emergency intervention projects to save the existing building environment and certain endangered buildings. ❏ To prepare the assessment of the Nicosia Master Plan Implementation Phase – from 1985 to 2000 – in order to evaluate both the projects implemented and the research for the buffer zone ❏ To promote a New Vision for the Core of Nicosia in the new circumstances of the 21st century and in the view of a future solution of the Cyprus problem and the unification of the island and the city of Nicosia. ❏ To identify the priorities needed for the preservation of this very sensitive area and the conservation of its rich architectural heritage, in the framework of the New Vision and the new heritage-led regeneration strategy decided by the NMP. 34

❏ To work on specific priority projects, based on the above data base, such as the opening of Lokmacı - Ledra Street Crossing and the restoration of the facades of the buildings on both sides.

The study was executed in phases and depended on strict political and military restrictions and procedures, which delayed the project considerably. During the survey, the team faced difficulties due to the unstable structural condition of the buildings and the overgrown vegetation near and inside the buildings. Difficulties also occurred from the restriction in movement without a UN escort.

The survey of street facades and infrastructure and the digital architectural record was completed in 2004. By the end of 2004 proposals for emergency support of buildings was prepared and executed. In 2005 the NMP team prepared proposals for priority projects within the Walled City, within the framework of New Vision for the Core of Nicosia Project.

The on-going study continued with the opening of Lokmacı - Ledra Street Crossing project in 2003 and the final restoration proposals for the building facades in the Lokmacı - Ledras opening finished in 2010, funded by the programme UNDP - Partnership for the Future – PFF and European Union Funds.

Athina Papadopoulou underlined an important positive aspect of the study, stating that “Through the Buffer Zone survey, the bi-communal Nicosia Master Plan team, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot professionals exchanged experiences, built trustful relationships, worked together on a common vision, maximized their potential, created strong and lasting friendship bonds to build a joint future through the protection of heritage”.

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“THE BUFFER ZONE INITIATIVE” BY RITA SEVERIS, DIRECTOR, AND AYLA GUREL MORAN, RESEARCHER AND CONSULTANT, CENTRE OF VISUAL ARTS AND RESEARCH

Rita Severis and Ayla Gurel Moran presented the history of Nicosia’s Ermou Street and their plea for its revival. Ermou which, together with Paphos Street, forms an east-west axis through the walled city was once the heart of Nicosia, its commercial and social centre where Greeks and Turks worked side by side.

When intercommunal violence erupted in late December 1963 an agreement between the two sides was brokered to establish a cease-fire line which not only divided the Walled City but also stretched much further east and west beyond the walls. The new demarcation was called ‘the Green Line’, apparently after the fact that during the negotiations it was marked on a map by a British officer using a green pencil. Shopkeepers moved from Ermou Street, side streets were blocked and shopkeepers were ousted from the municipal market. It was not until 2003, almost 30 years after the division of the island, that movement across the Green Line finally became possible in the way it is now with the opening of a number of crossings.

To begin with there were two crossings in Nicosia: the Ledra Palace crossing immediately to the west on the outside of the Walled City, and the Agios Dometios/Kermia crossing in the western outskirts of wider Nicosia – both out of the way in relation to the busy and/or densely populated parts of the city. The third crossing at Ledra Street/ Lokmacı, on the other hand, is located in the heart of Nicosia, in the old town, with commercial and residential areas located in its immediate surroundings. Therefore, when it was opened in April 2008 it became the first and (remains the only) Green Line crossing that actually has acted as some sort of a ‘link’ between the two sides managing, albeit to a limited extent, to disable the Buffer Zone’s isolating effect. This can be seen in the huge positive impact that the opening of this crossing has had on the immediate neighbourhoods on both sides.

Moving from here, the speakers put forward the idea of creating a space in the Buffer Zone that would provide conditions for coexistence for people from both sides and argued that Ermou Street in the Buffer Zone is best suited for this purpose. The speakers called for a serious exploration of the possibility of Ermou’s transformation into a space for ‘civil use’, its restoration and its social and economic revival as part of a significant historic site of the town. This would also amount, they said, to linking the two sides with a new crossing but one that would be very different from the existing crossings that all traverse the Buffer Zone vertically. They propose to use Ermou as a horizontal crossing where people could mingle and where economic and social activities could take place.

There are many political obstacles to implementing a project like this but there are a number of very good reasons to promote the idea. Among them: working together would promote peaceful intercommunal activity and become a trust-building measure. In addition, Ermou contains several ancient landmarks and a number of old buildings that must be saved, restored and reintegrated into the life of the Walled City before it is too late. “Ermou can become an example of our past for our future, of coexistence and reconciliation – something we so badly need at present. It may even spark hope again for a solution of the Cyprus problem,” Ayla Gurel concluded.

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‘THE FUTURE AND HOW TO GET THERE: IMPLEMENTATION OBSTACLES, OPPORTUNITIES AND LESSONS’ BY GLAFKOS CONSTANTINIDES, ECONOMIST & URBAN PLANNING CONSULTANT, FORMER COORDINATOR NMP PROJECT TEAM, AND NACIYE DORATLI, PROFESSOR, FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY AND DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE OF CYPRUS STUDIES, FORMER MEMBER OF NMP TEAM Glafkos Constantinides highlighted how finance and implementation powers are two of the most important elements needed to progress in Nicosia. These are challenging issues to confront as the area has specific characteristics which pose obstacles, such as the “emptiness” of the area. Its historical character and its heritage value make the area very important nonetheless. The Buffer Zone is an opportunity how profound an opportunity depends on several factors such as how the vision for the Buffer Zone is implemented, what tools are used to do so and the potential value of the tools for the rest of the city’s future. The Buffer Zone is not an isolated area, it is a part of the wider city. The isolation and uniqueness is often emphasised in relation to the Buffer Zone but it is part of a wider economic structure and economic activity is important.

When speaking of the Buffer Zone, there is usually a strong focus on the technical challenges and only a peripheral mention of social and economic activities. It is not enough therefore simply to get the land uses right and the conservation standards right. Finance can play a very important role in integrating the Buffer Zone into the rest of the city, through stimulating /ensuring continuity, sustainability and a gradual shift towards sustainable financial resources in order for Nicosia to be more self-reliant.

Two important questions are therefore posed: what kind of finance is needed and what kind of implementation powers?

Finance is far more than covering costs - it is an agile element that is used to stimulate and leverage activity. It is what we spend money on that is important and this in turn creates value that does not dissipate. The implementation powers is not simply public sector actions, it must include stakeholders, the private sector, businesses and community engagement. Finance is needed for two main uses: for infrastructure which plays a supporting role in development; second, for the support, conservation or restoration of buildings which although part of the wealth of the city are essentially private assets (and private assets may, at some point, become capable of using business‐ type finance). Infrastructure can ‘revolve’ funds if and when municipal regulations and political considerations allow agile financial policies to apply. Property may ultimately be more capable of revolving funds. The implementation of the Buffer Zone project cannot be implemented in a static way - a coherent project structure which will need to concentrate all the necessary elements including technical issues, implementation powers, finance and governance. An initial capital grant is essential but in Mr. Constantinides’ opinion, it should go to a holding fund or city fund which would then lend to the Buffer Zone. Eventually when economic activity picks up, there should be internally generated revenue which would gradually increase. These kinds of holding funds already 37

exist (such as JESSICA) and are already used in the EU. The “New Vision” has already proposed a revolving fund. Mr. Constantinides concluded his presentation with the following key points: • • •

• • •

•

A Revolving Fund and a Development Body / Company / Authority must be set up The impact of these two instruments will deliver longer term benefits for Nicosia Implementation pursued in stages but planned as a whole to avoid getting stuck on preliminaries or small parts of it or outside a joint framework with different people doing different things.

The Municipalities of Nicosia are partners in the NMP initiatives, should continue providing full support to the NMP Team(s) as the core design and implementation unit.

The European financial and banking group should be encouraged to provide the initial funding for the Nicosia Revolving Fund to act as ‘holding fund’.

The property owners will play a major part in this project and cannot escape the role of the direct beneficiary. Private business investment should eventually be considered a potential source of regeneration.

The people of Nicosia, encouraged and guided by their leaders, should not only support but demand implementation of this project which will unlock many other initiatives in Nicosia.

The main aim of Naciye Doratli’s presentation was to raise awareness among the participants of a “new paradigm related to regeneration and or revitalization with a major focus on cultural and creative industries and how this could be considered in any attempt for infusing new life to the Buffer Zone”. Prof. Dr. Doratli, suggested that in the same way that the Buffer Zone was formed, the area can be transformed into a ‘gluing element’ through a reverse process. For her presentation, her two main references were:

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Cultural Heritage Counts for Europe and Cultural and creative spillovers in Europe, Report on a preliminary evidence review (2015)

The Europe 2020 Strategy defined three mutually reinforcing priorities of the strategy: smart growth: developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation; sustainable growth: promoting a more resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy; inclusive growth: fostering a high-employment economy delivering social and territorial cohesion. Prof. Dr. Doratli argued that the role of culture in achieving the above-listed aims is clearly underestimated with no direct reference to either culture, arts or heritage in the document. However, cultural heritage has the potential to contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

In Cultural and creative spillovers in Europe, deals with the contribution or impact of culture and creative industries on places, society and economy. Spillovers are the process by which an activity in one area has a subsequent broader impact on places, society or the economy through the overflow of concepts, ideas, skills, knowledge and different types of capital. Spillovers can take place over varying time frames and can be intentional or unintentional, planned or unplanned, direct or indirect, negative as well as positive. By investing in the Buffer Zone, the area can be transformed into a “gluing element”, which would also have a wider impact on the overall Walled City.

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PANEL DISCUSSION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TWO COMMUNITIES OF NICOSIA • CONSTANTINOS YIORKADJIS • MEHMET HARMANCI • GUY CLAUSSE, EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT OF EUROPA NOSTRA

A panel discussion with representatives of the two communities of Nicosia, Constantinos Yiorkadjis and Mehmet Harmanci, and Guy Clausse, Executive Vice-President of Europa Nostra.

The two representatives gave updates on the future of Nicosia and the Buffer Zone and highlighted some necessary initiatives that should be developed in the future. The two representatives were in full agreement regarding a number of proposals that are set to be implemented which include additional crossings that would facilitate easier access to important religious sites and which would create a link between the two planned creative communities in the city centre. The representatives closed their discussion by signing and expressing their support for the Berlin Call to Action: “Cultural Heritage for the Future of Europe”.

Europa Nostra’s Executive Vice-President Guy Clausse urged the representatives of the two communities to continue urban planning for all of Nicosia and to invest early enough, notably also into cultural heritage preservation, as any such investment at a later stage would be well more expensive.

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VISITS Two delegations of Europa Nostra visited the Buffer Zone of Nicosia on 22 October and 23 October.

One of the delegations included Peter Bond, the Technical Advisor from the EIB-I who wrote the initial Technical Report in 2014.

The Buffer Zone visits were kindly facilitated by the UNFICYP and escorted by the Green Line Military Escort.

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EUROPA NOSTRA APPEAL TO THE LEADERS OF CYPRUS

The Europa Nostra Appeal to the Two Leaders of Cyprus: “Save The Endangered Heritage in the Buffer Zone of Nicosia”, was drafted by Europa Nostra following the conclusion of the conference.

This appeal was unanimously endorsed by the Europa Nostra Council at its Autumn meeting held at the headquarters of the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon on 15 November 2018. On 29 November, the Appeal was handed over to the Under Secretary to the Presidency, on behalf of H.E. Mr. Nicos Anastasiades. Europa Nostra also requested a meeting to hand over the Appeal to H.E. Mr. Mustafa Akinçi.

The Appeal calls for urgent stabilisation/conservation measures to prevent further decay; the prioritisation of the opening of additional crossings; the political impetus to the urgently needed reinforcement of two churches located in the Buffer Zone of Nicosia, St. George’s Church and St. James’ Church (Agios Iakovos); and to involve and support civil society organisations active in Cyprus who are working towards a more peaceful and prosperous future in Cyprus.

“SAVE THE ENDANGERED HERITAGE IN THE BUFFER ZONE OF NICOSIA” EUROPA NOSTRA APPEAL TO THE LEADERS OF CYPRUS H.E. Mr. Nicos Anastasiades H.E. Mr. Mustafa Akıncı On United Nations Day, 24 October 2018, Europa Nostra – the Voice of Cultural Heritage in Europe organised a major public discussion on the Endangered Cultural Heritage in the Buffer Zone of the Walled Town of Nicosia. The Head of the UN Mission in Cyprus, Mrs Elizabeth Spehar, the Representatives of the two communities in Nicosia, Mr. Constantinos Yiorkadjis and Mr. Mehmet Harmanci, Europa Nostra’s Executive Vice-President Guy Clausse and Vice-President Androulla Vassiliou, as well as Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot heritage experts and activists took actively part in this vital discussion.

The discussion was part of a 2-day Conference dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the “7 Most Endangered” programme, established by Europa Nostra in 2013 in partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB) Institute. In 2013, Europa Nostra had identified the Buffer Zone of Nicosia as one the most endangered heritage sites in Europe, because of its symbolic and historical significance but also for its authenticity and the cultural, social and economic potential it represents. Today, in the ongoing European Year of Cultural Heritage, it was a welcome opportunity to reassess the condition of important historical buildings located in the Buffer Zone of the Walled Town of Nicosia which Zone continues to cut across the heart of Nicosia, forming a lifeless corridor disrupting the city’s cohesion and continuity. Yet, this area has the potential to become once again the unifying glue of the city.

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Following these discussions, Europa Nostra and the experts of the EIB Institute reiterate their praise for the outstanding work undertaken, in very difficult circumstances and on a bi-communal basis by various organisations, especially by the Nicosia Master Plan Team and by the Bi-communal Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage. It is impressive to see how competent and creative the members of these teams are and how dedicated they are to use the shared cultural heritage of Nicosia for confidence and bridge building efforts between different communities in the on-going revitalisation of the old town of Nicosia, which will receive a decisive boost once a lasting solution for the future of Cyprus is reached. Europa Nostra also feels encouraged and inspired by invaluable initiatives developed by civil society organisations (such as Home for Cooperation and the Centre for Visual Arts and Research), which demonstrate the strong will and huge potential for using the shared cultural heritage of Cyprus to develop creative bi-communal activities which involve also other communities living in Cyprus.

At the same time, following new visits to the Buffer Zone organised on 22 and 23 October with the kind assistance of UNFICYP as the custodians of the Buffer Zone, Europa Nostra and the EIB Institute wish to express their grave concern about the alarming state of deterioration which continues and indeed accelerates in the Buffer Zone. The heritage buildings and sites located in the Buffer Zone of Nicosia are today even more in danger than it was the case 5 years ago!

In the light of the above, Europa Nostra together with its Cypriot members wish to make the following strong appeal to the leaders of Cyprus:

1) We appeal to you to take urgent stabilisation/conservation measures to prevent further decay or even collapse of invaluable historic buildings in the Buffer Zone of Nicosia. We are confident that nobody in Cyprus wishes to bear the responsibility for any further, potentially irreparable, decay of historical buildings located in the Buffer Zone.

2) While congratulating you on your recent agreement to open two additional crossings in the Buffer Zone of Cyprus, we appeal to you to give every attention and priority to opening new crossings within the Buffer Zone of Nicosia, as well. Ideally, Ermou Street should be opened as a horizontal crossing, since this would give a major boost to bi-communal cooperation and reconciliation. While acknowledging that such an initiative will require more time, we reiterate our recommendation (included in our report dated 2013) to open without further delay two additional pedestrian crossings: one at the Paphos Gate, important to provide access for different religious communities to places of worship located in this area of the walled city of Nicosia; and the other one in the very heart of the city, which will allow the two market places to become connected, thus facilitating contacts and cooperation among small traders and farmers from different communities living in Nicosia. Last but not least, we strongly support the plea for opening two civilian car crossings in the Buffer Zone of Nicosia – at the Ledra Palace and near the Famagusta Gate. We are sure you will agree with us that such decisions would carry huge symbolic value, convey a vital positive message to the benefit of all, with the view of boosting dialogue and exchanges between the two parts of Nicosia and their communities.

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3) While acknowledging the encouraging progress made through the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage combined with the welcome dialogue between the religious leaders of Cyprus and their faith communities which was facilitated by the Embassy of Sweden and the Office of Religious Tracks (RTCYPP), we appeal to you to give the political impetus to the urgently needed reinforcement of two churches located in the Buffer Zone of Nicosia, St. George’s Church and St. James’ Church (Agios Iakovos). The condition of these important historic monuments is particularly alarming and it is necessary to start the rescue works without any further delay to avoid any irreparable loss.

4) We appeal to you to involve and give every support to civil society organisations active in Cyprus and to encourage them to further develop cultural and educational activities with the participation of different communities and using cultural heritage as a positive and cohesive force for the society, economy and environment of Cyprus. This will allow the various communities to overcome decades of division by developing lasting partnerships to build a more peaceful and prosperous future in Cyprus and in Europe as a whole.

5) Europa Nostra remains confident that under your leadership and with your full support, all parties involved will cooperate more closely and intensively so as to achieve progress on safeguarding and eventually restoring and revitalising the historic heart of Nicosia, which is currently suffering from isolation and abandonment. Together with our Cypriot members, Europa Nostra stays at your entire disposal for providing you with support, advice or assistance in this vital process. Any further delay would be detrimental for our shared common heritage and a deplorable dereliction of our shared responsibility.

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GUIDED VISIT OF OTHELLO TOWER AND MONUMENTS RESTORED BY THE BICOMMUNAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL HERITAGE IN FAMAGUSTA

AMBRA DI NUZZO, PROGRAMME MANAGER ON CULTURAL HERITAGE - CYPRUS SETTLEMENT SUPPORT, EUROPEAN COMMISSION Ambra di Nuzzo expressed how the European Commission is delighted to have been able to fund the restoration of the Martinengo Bastion: “We consider this a clear example of how Cypriots can work together for peace”.

The European Commission developed a long-term strategy on cultural heritage for Cyprus with this type of collaboration in mind. The EU has been supporting cultural heritage in Cyprus with a budget of almost 15 million euro, with 4 million of that dedicated to the restoration of sites in Famagusta. EU funds have been used to restore several sites in Famagusta: the Othello Tower, the Venetian Walls, the Martinengo Bastion, the Ravelin gate, the two Saint Mary's Churches, St Anne Church and the Tanner's Mosque.

Ms. di Nuzzo highlighted how culture and cultural heritage help open channels of communication and facilitate mutual understanding, “helping to bring peace and reconciliation to divided communities and being a resource for our economies”. She also highlighted how Cyprus, like Europe, represents a unique blend of cultures with a shared past and a common future, for Turkish Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Latin Cypriots, Armenian Cypriots, and Maronite Cypriots. She called for Cyprus to face the new challenges by standing united in diversity, spreading the values of democracy, tolerance, inclusiveness, creativity, solidarity and hospitality, keeping culture and cultural heritage at its core.

“It is with these guiding principles in mind that the European Union is here today and has been funding cultural heritage in Cyprus and it will continue for the next years”, she concluded.

MESSAGE FROM TIZIANA ZENNARO, HEAD OF OFFICE/ PROGRAMME MANAGER, UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP) Tiziana Zennaro could not attend the event due to commitments abroad and a colleague read a prepared statement in her absence. In it, Ms. Zennaro explained that since 2010, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has assisted the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage to preserve the cultural heritage of the island.

In strong partnership with the European Commission in Cyprus, UNDP supports the Technical Committee in conducting inclusive consultations on technical and strategic aspects of its work, liaising with donors, technical departments and local communities, on behalf of and/or together with the Technical Committee. UNDP directly implements and administers the Committee's conservation works and visibility efforts, hence creating a favourable environment for the non-political consideration of cultural heritage on both sides of the island.

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Together, with the support of the EU, 31 heritage sites island wide, including Orthodox, Maronite and Armenian churches, mosques and minarets, fortifications, hamams, aqueducts and watermills have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored.

Ms. Zennaro quoted the Technical Committee, who have stated “these projects reflect the importance attributed to the history and significance of this area, its future and to the capacity of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage to make a difference to the area’s heritage value.”

These projects brought together hundreds of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, as well as students from both communities, an example of how cultural heritage can reinforce a shared identity and contribute to peace and trust building.

Ms. Zennaro underlined that the sustainability of these interventions is becoming a high priority, stated that the UNDP is prepared to continue supporting the Technical Committee’s efforts in Famagusta and expressed her hope that the conference would encourage discussion on this point.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY ALI TUNCAY AND GLAFKOS CONSTANTINIDES, TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL HERITAGE

Together Ali Tuncay and Glafkos Constantinides stressed that the protection of cultural heritage is an integral part of the ongoing peace and reconciliation process in Cyprus. Ali Tuncay welcomed the participants to the Walled City of Famagusta, “a symbol of multiculturalism, at the crossroads of civilisations”. He gave a short history of the city and the defensive purpose of the city walls, underlining how many people from different cultures, lived, worked and cooperated together there. The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage is not just dealing with technical works in the city, they are also a confidence building project between the two communities and have proved that efficiency is only possible when they work together, contributing to peace between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots. Mr. Tuncay thanked the European Union and the UNDP for their support of the works.

Glafkos Constantinides underlined how both Turkish and Greek Cypriots on the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage share common goals. The Committee is an important mechanism for demonstrating the confidence that is placed in both communities by the other. A crucial issue for the Committee is not only to appreciate the history of each monument but also to have a common idea of the monument’s future, following the completion of the restoration works. The Famagusta part of the Committee’s programme takes up a sizeable amount of the available resources, clearly reflecting the priority assigned to Famagusta. The city has a very high concentration of cultural heritage and the Committee is now encouraging others to start their own initiatives to preserve the monuments in the city.

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PROJECTS ON CONSERVATION OF FAMAGUSTA FORTIFICATIONS- COMPLETED/ ONGOING BY EGE ULUCA TĂœMER, MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY BOARD OF TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL HERITAGE, ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY AND GREEK CYPRIOT COUNTERPART

Ege Uluca TĂźmer gave an holistic overview of the fortifications of Famagusta and conservation works that have been carried out in the city over the past 5 years.

The fortifications of Famagusta have a form resembling a parallelogram, measuring approximately 850m x 600m with a circumference of 2830m with a height of 10m and higher. The fortifications sit on a rocky hill, elevated from its surroundings.

There exists seven gates, of which three are from the Lusignan and Venetian periods, three are port gates from the Early British Period (from 1903) and one is from the Republican Period, opened by the authority of the Turkish Municipality of Famagusta (from 1965). Two historic gates and one new gate are in use for vehicular roads and the others along the sea walls are currently closed.

Besides the towers of the Citadel, the Martinengo Bastion, the Land Gate and the Sea Gate, there are 12 bastions along the walls of Famagusta, and among them, Cantana, which is extended to the sea and is the only one in rectangular form. The 13th bastion, named the Torre Mastici (Otten Froux, 2001a: 89) and located between the Diamante and Mozzo Bastions is believed to have been demolished during the Ottoman Period. All the bastions are in a circular form, except Ravelin, Martinengo, Catena, Limisso, Mozzo and Diamante. The first two of these are the most comprehensive Venetian additions, while the others are from the Lusignan Period. All the other bastions, except the mentioned ones and Sea Gate have both Lusignan and Venetian remains within their structures. Similarly, the citadel, and almost all of the walls, except very few Venetian reconstructions along the West and North walls have elements from both periods, to an extent. All of the cavaliers are Venetian contributions dated to late periods of Venetian era, between 15601570 (Faucherre, 2006: 315-343).

There are two main construction periods for the Famagusta fortifications the first being in the first quarter of the 14th century, in the early period of Lusignan Rule and throughout the Venetian Period, from 1490 to 1571. The later interventions during the Ottoman Period, are few and mostly did not change the design of the fortifications and were mostly confined to the repairs and reconstruction of some elements after the war of 1571, especially along the South Walls and mainly on Ravelin. During British rule, the walls were not an effective military tool so the only interventions were for the improvement of Port access and basic conservation works.

Over the past 5 years, the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in Cyprus (TCCH) and the UNDP have made valuable efforts to safeguard and conserve the fortifications of Famagusta.

Conservation works on Famagusta Fortifications has begun with the conservation of Citadel (Othello Tower) in 2014, lasted for 1 year under the execution of UNDP and guidance by the bi46

communal Advisory Board, which was established under TCCH to supervise and advise on the selection, preparation and implementation of cultural heritage conservation projects. The Martinengo Bastion and the Sea Walls between Sea Gate and Arsenal (Canbunlat Gate) were the next to be conserved between 2016 and 2017. Lastly, Ravelin (Kara Kapisi, Limisso Gate) was conserved between 2017 and 2018. The conservation works have contributed to increased investment in the conservation of the historic traditional houses in the walled city of Famagusta by local people and have increased local hopes for sustainable development, economic and otherwise, in the city.

The conservation works on these buildings mainly consisted of ground and upper structure water drainage development; the consolidation of masonry (replacement of stones, consolidation of stones, repointing); safety features (parapets/ railings/ fencing); and the improvement of visitor facilities (accessibility, interpretation panels, lighting/ electricity infrastructure, ticket offices).

These works were mostly done as emergency repairs and for the improvement of visitor experience. The number of visitors to these monuments has noticeably increased since the completion of the works, and there has been an increase in public awareness of cultural heritage sites in Famagusta.

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VISIT TO THE CHURCHES IN MARTINENGO CLUSTER, THE OTHELLO TOWER AND RAVELIN BASTION On the afternoon of 24 October, during the second day of the 5th Anniversary Conference of the 7 Most Endangered programme and Capacity Building Days on Endangered Heritage in Nicosia, participants visited some of the most impressive buildings restored by the bi-communal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) in the Walled City of Famagusta - a city located on the East coast of Cyprus and constructed over many centuries, which includes important examples of military architecture and religious heritage representing the different faiths of Cyprus.

Conference participants were given a guided tour of the Martinengo Bastion, several Churches located in the Cluster and the Othello Tower.

They were welcomed in the impressive setting of the Martinengo Bastion - a prime example of state-of-the-art renaissance military architecture created by the Venetian architect Giovanni San Michelle between 1550-1559 - by Naciye Doratli, Professor at the Faculty of Architecture of the Eastern Mediterranean University; Vice Rector (Administrative and Technical Affairs); Director of the EMU - Centre of Cyprus Studies; former member of the Nicosia Master Plan team and member of the Europa Nostra Scientific Council.

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MAIN CONCLUSIONS OF THE NICOSIA CONFERENCE •

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The Conference had approximately 100 participants from both parts of Cyprus and another 20 countries, ensuring a strong international focus. The participants also had remarkably varied backgrounds: public and private institutions, the European Commission, the civil service and NGOs were all represented and given voice at the Conference.

The Conference offered an unprecedented occasion to evaluate the 7 Most Endangered programme since its launch in 2013 and opened up a discussion regarding the future steps of the programme.

This was the first such event where both the nominators of the 7ME sites and laureates of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards formally came together to exchange best practices, marking the first step of a possible twinning initiative in the future.

The Conference’s participants, coming mostly from outside of Cyprus, demonstrated a keen interest in Nicosia and the issues affecting the Buffer Zone in the Historic Centre of the city.

The Conference has been of great benefit to raising awareness of the situation in the city and may lead to further positive outcomes such as international partnerships.

At several moments throughout the Conference, Europa Nostra was called on to support positive initiatives in Cyprus, underlining the organisation’s positive reputation as a ‘bridge builder’ in the country. Europa Nostra is willing to dedicate further resources to this end.

The necessity of more closely involving the European Commission in the missions to the listed sites and in the later follow up was also acknowledged and agreed upon.

Throughout the Conference, participants had ample opportunity to exchange ideas. Several side meetings took place with the nominators of the 7ME sites and other stakeholders in various capacities.

MAIN OUTCOMES OF THE NICOSIA CONFERENCE – NEW IDEAS

In addition to the Appeal to the Two Leaders of Cyprus: “Save The Endangered Heritage in the Buffer Zone of Nicosia”, the following were the primary, tangible outcomes of the conference: •

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A possible new partnership with Global Heritage Fund is currently under discussion. The potential of Global Heritage Fund to become involved in the 7 Most Endangered programme and in capacity building events in South East Europe will be explored.

Henry von Blumenthal took the occasion of his presentation at the conference to announce the European Investment Bank – Institute’s intention to organise a pilot matchmaking event in Luxembourg in 2019, bringing together endangered sites in need of funding, public organisations and private foundations.

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Following the presentation of the Nicosia Master Plan by by Agni Petridou (former Head, Nicosia Master Plan, Greek Cypriot team), Council member of Europa Nostra and Member of the Jury in Category Conservation of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards) and Ali GĂźralp (Head, Nicosia Master Plan, Turkish Cypriot team), both speakers have been invited to present their work to students in Conservation and Restoration at KU Leuven in March 2019. The presentation will coincide with the Jury Meetings in Category Conservation and Category Research of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2019.

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