The European Union and the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH) have launched 29 cultural heritage projects across Central Asia aimed at safeguarding endangered tangible and intangible heritage threatened by climate change.
According to a press release from the European Union Delegation to Tajikistan, the projects were selected following a highly competitive call that attracted 233 applications. The initiative has a total budget of €1.5 million, including €1.1 million provided by the European Union, with the remaining funds contributed by ALIPH.
The projects will be implemented in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
The initiative focuses on both historic sites and living cultural traditions, combining conservation, documentation, skills development, and economic empowerment. Planned interventions include the protection of significant heritage sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sarazm in Tajikistan, the Ak-Saray Palace and the Kayrit Oasis in Uzbekistan, and the Dandanakan Mosque in Turkmenistan.
Several projects will also support museums through restoration work and professional training. These efforts will involve institutions such as the Kasteyev Museum in Almaty, the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan, and two museums in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan — the Savitsky Museum in Nukus and the Ecological Museum in Muynak, which preserves the heritage of the Aral Sea region.
The program will also fund the restoration of paintings from the Romanov Palace collection in Tashkent. In addition, regional initiatives on conservation and climate-resilient restoration practices, along with a museology forum in Astana, will facilitate knowledge exchange among museum professionals across Central Asia.
Beyond physical heritage, several projects will focus on preserving intangible cultural traditions. These include documenting nomadic and mountain cultural practices, preserving epic poetry, and revitalizing traditional games and music in Kyrgyzstan. In Uzbekistan, sustainable silk and ikat production will be supported through the restoration of natural dyeing techniques and the transfer of traditional knowledge.
Creative industries will also receive support through training programs for artisans and entrepreneurs in fields such as felt-making, suzani embroidery, ceramics, wall painting, and the digitization of ornamental traditions. Particular attention will be given to engaging young people and supporting returnee communities.
“The European Union is pleased to expand its partnership with ALIPH. Our cooperation is grounded in concrete action and innovative approaches to safeguarding cultural heritage at risk, recognizing its role as an enabler of peace and security,” said Peter Wagner, Director and Head of the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) at the European Commission.
Valéry Freland, Executive Director of ALIPH, said the initiative would strengthen efforts to protect cultural heritage from the impacts of climate change while expanding the organization’s work in Central Asia.
“Thanks to the support of the European Union, we will be able to work with local heritage professionals to help creative industries and traditional crafts adapt to the challenges posed by climate change,” he said.
ALIPH is a global fund dedicated to protecting cultural heritage in conflict, post-conflict, and crisis areas. The organization supports professionals working on the ground to safeguard or restore museums, heritage sites, monuments, and intangible cultural traditions in challenging environments.
Founded in Geneva in 2017, ALIPH has supported around 600 projects in 64 countries. The foundation’s work is funded by nine member states — the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, France, China, Luxembourg, Cyprus, and Uzbekistan — as well as private partners including Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, the Getty Trust, and the Fondation Gandur pour l’Art, along with several other donors.
