On July 25, acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy Rostyslav Karandieiev met with Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi, Head of the UNESCO Office in Ukraine. They discussed the goals and action plan for the newly established Recovery Support Office within the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine. This initiative, led by the NGU Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine, aims to bolster the Ministry’s efforts in restoring cultural heritage and infrastructure damaged by the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“The tasks of the Office include developing a vision for specific cultural processes that should become standard in Ukraine post-war. These processes can be global or local, as the primary cultural service is provided at the place of residence. Our goal is to create a modern model for delivering cultural services that fully meets societal needs,” said Rostyslav Karandieiev.
The main objectives of the Office include enhancing the capacity of the Ministry to protect Ukraine’s cultural heritage through expert technical advice, facilitating policy development in line with international standards, and ensuring cooperation with stakeholders for effective restoration and reconstruction processes. Additionally, the initiative seeks to promote digital transformation in heritage management through innovative tools and technologies.
“It is crucial for us to strategically support both the Ministry and the country to help place culture at the forefront of reconstruction and recovery. We aim to shift the focus from viewing culture as a victim of this war to recognizing the opportunity to develop this sector into something better, more sustainable, and more inclusive. This includes focusing on families, communities, and extending the impact of culture to all other sectors,” said Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi.
In accordance with its assigned tasks, the Office will:
- Provide proposals to the MCIP on capacity building for cultural and educational institutions, restoration of human capital, and provision of cultural services in line with modern standards;
- Enhance communication about the restoration of the cultural sector in national and international information spaces;
- Offer proposals to the MCIP for effectively assessing the impact of the Russian invasion on the cultural sector;
- Support the MCIP in integrating and providing technical assistance for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Ukraine through various activities;
- Assist the ICIP in co-chairing thematic working groups established within the framework of the Action Plan for Culture in Ukraine;
- Develop proposals for a strategy to build the capacity of cultural and educational institutions, human capital, and gradually restore cultural services in accordance with high-quality modern standards;
- Provide legal advice and prepare proposals for new legislation or amendments to existing legal acts concerning the restoration of the cultural sector.
- Collaborate with the MCIP team and media to create and disseminate effective advocacy and communication messages on the restoration and development of the cultural sector.
- Prepare proposals for the MCIP on potential sources and mechanisms for financing cultural restoration projects.
