Italy and ICCROM Launch €6M Programme to Train African Artisans in Heritage Preservation
Italy and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) have officially launched a transformative €6 million Cultural Heritage Programme aimed at empowering young artisans across Africa.
The landmark agreement was signed today in Rome by ICCROM Director-General Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral and Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli.
The three-year initiative, funded by the Italian Government through the Directorate General for Development Cooperation, will train an initial group of 540 young artisans in Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, and Tunisia. The programme, which adopts a Training-of-Trainers model, is expected to have a multiplier effect, upskilling participants who will, in turn, train others, accelerating the professionalisation of Africa’s craft sector.
The initiative is implemented in close partnership with the Fabbrica di San Pietro in the Vatican, whose centuries-long expertise in conservation will play a central role in delivering the programme. His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, attended the ceremony, offering greetings and a blessing.
“We’ve seen how cultural heritage, when placed in the hands of communities, can foster social cohesion, identity, and dialogue – especially among youth,” said ICCROM’s Director-General Gujral. “This programme is a strategic investment in human capital rooted in Africa’s cultural legacy.”
Deputy Minister Cirielli emphasized the developmental impact of the initiative. “Investing in craft training and cultural heritage conservation means promoting sustainable development and creating tangible opportunities for young people,” he said. “This is about enhancing skills and transferring critical knowledge for safeguarding heritage sites.”
The programme aligns with Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, which promotes sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships. ICCROM echoed this sentiment, highlighting its belief in partnerships that value human capital, local expertise, and cultural identity as foundations for sustainable development.
With this project, Italy and ICCROM reaffirm their commitment to making cultural heritage a catalyst for lasting socio-economic transformation in Africa.
