Supporting Protection of Cultural Heritage in Ukraine
Since February 2022, cultural heritage in Ukraine has been deliberately targeted.
Protecting cultural heritage during conflict is not only about saving objects for their own sake, it’s also about preserving the seeds of future recovery and peace. In the aftermath of war or disaster, cultural heritage can be a powerful asset to rebuild communities by restoring social cohesion, providing economic benefits through local jobs, strengthening institutional capacity through international cooperation and promote healing.
As part of the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership commitment Historic England is delivering a multi-year cultural heritage programme (from 2025 to 2029) to support cultural heritage protection and restoration in Ukraine.
This programme, funded through the DCMS International Cultural Heritage Protection fund, will provide “training and educational exchanges for cultural professionals for the protection, preservation and restoration of Ukrainian cultural heritage” (Pillar 9, para 8).
The shape of this programme is currently being developed and will be informed by research commissioned to assess the needs of Ukraine’s heritage sector to ensure that this programme will directly respond to identified long term strategic priorities for Ukraine’s recovery.
An Advisory Board, chaired by Lord Mendoza, will be constituted in 2026 to further guide the programme’s development and delivery.
This welcome government funding under the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership marks the beginning of an important commitment to support protection of Ukrainian cultural heritage. Historic England will work with colleagues nationally and in Ukraine to develop capacity-building that meets the pressing needs of Ukraine’s heritage workforce and to ensure Ukrainian heritage is protected, preserved, and restored.
Research Report: Capacity Building Needs Assessment for the Cultural Heritage Sector in Ukraine
Historic England has commissioned research to ensure that its cultural heritage programme responds to the needs of Ukrainian people and institutions. The study was led by the University of the West of England to inform the design of the UK’s capacity building in Ukraine.
The report sets out the scale of the challenge facing Ukraine’s cultural heritage sector. It estimates that around USD $524 billion will be required to revitalise the sector.
The research identifies an estimated 37% loss of Ukrainian heritage professionals. Many have been displaced, mobilised or have left the sector. This has created significant gaps in conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.
Nonetheless, Ukraine has developed valuable expertise in cultural property protection during conflict. This creates opportunities for knowledge exchange between Ukraine and the UK.
The report highlights the need for durable long-term training pathways and sustainable governance and funding systems as short-term projects can unintentionally contribute to the movement of skilled professionals away from regional institutions, placing additional pressure on already stretched services.
It proposes a range of capacity building initiatives in Ukraine, including structured educational programmes, rebuilding laboratory facilities and expanding Ukrainian-language heritage resources.
For UK-based engagement, the report suggests placement opportunities for the translation of conservation materials into Ukrainian and the development of dual-language specialist courses.
The emphasis in the report is on exchange and partnership, ensuring that skills gained through UK collaboration strengthen institutions within Ukraine.
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