The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) has launched the first track of its READY project under the First Aid and Resilience for Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis (FAR) program.

The international training course, titled Safeguarding Heritage Collections, Living Traditions, and Practices in the Face of Disasters, Extreme Weather Events, and Complex Emergencies, will run from May 2025 to February 2026.

This EU-funded initiative, in partnership with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) and several European technical partners, aims to equip professionals with the tools to protect cultural heritage at risk. It focuses on safeguarding heritage from extreme threats—such as climate change-related disasters and armed conflicts—across Europe and beyond. The project explores practical ways to protect heritage while leveraging it to reduce disaster impacts, support climate adaptation, and foster peace.

The READY project features a four-phase training course. The first phase is a four-week online orientation running from late May to late June 2025. The second phase includes a 15-day in-person training on movable and intangible cultural heritage in Riga, Latvia, beginning after July 15, 2025. In the third phase, from August 2025 to February 2026, participants will carry out field projects aimed at improving regional heritage management. The final phase is an international online meeting to share the outcomes of the project.

The READY initiative is open to heritage professionals, including museum experts, community leaders, and those working in disaster management or cultural preservation. Applicants must be citizens of countries participating in the Creative Europe program, and the application deadline is April 20, 2025.

The initiative aims to equip participants with essential skills to safeguard cultural heritage, helping ensure Europe’s rich cultural legacy is preserved and appreciated by future generations.