The Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, today signed an agreement at the Farnesina with ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) to launch the initiative “Towards sustainable development in Africa: strengthening craft skills in cultural heritage conservation”, funded by a EUR 6 million grant from the Italian Development Cooperation.
“Investing in craft training and cultural heritage conservation means promoting sustainable development and creating tangible opportunities for young people,” stated Deputy Minister Cirielli. He explained that the aim of the agreement is to enhance the skills of young African artisans and support the transfer of knowledge essential for the preservation of cultural heritage sites across the continent.
The project will involve around 540 artisans aged between 18 and 40 from Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, and Tunisia. ICCROM will implement the initiative in partnership with cultural institutions from the participating countries and the Fabbrica di San Pietro in the Vatican, a historic centre of excellence in artisan training and cultural heritage conservation.