Phase 3

Support to the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage

Status:Ongoing
Duration:2024 - 2026
Donors:Government of Cyprus, European Commission, Church of Cyprus, Evkaf Administration
Coverage:Island-wide
Beneficiaries:Turkish Cypriot community and Greek Cypriot community
Focus Area:Governance and Peacebuilding
Partners:Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage
See more information about the project on the transparency portal.(link is external)

Project Summary:

The cultural heritage of Cyprus emanates from diverse and rich cultures and civilizations which have populated the island throughout history. It constitutes the common heritage of all Cypriots and of humanity regardless of its origin. Since 2010 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been assisting the bi-communal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) to preserve the island’s cultural heritage.

The overall objective of the project is to support the reconciliation process and to increase the levels of trust between the two main communities on the island – the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. This overall objective will be achieved through the implementation of confidence building measures as agreed by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH).

The project is aimed to preserve the Cypriot cultural heritage monuments of great importance by supporting conservation and/or emergency measures for high importance cultural heritage sites. The project will be funded by the Republic of Cyprus & local communities for the protection of heritage in conflict areas) aiming to support the efforts of the bi-communal TCCH to contribute to the ongoing peace and confidence building process by bringing communities closer to their shared heritage through conservation and emergency measures projects.

“The Cultural Heritage Technical Committee believes that it is the primary responsibility of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to protect the endangered cultural heritage of the island, and that it is important for these monuments to be preserved, not only because they are important symbols for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, as well as for humanity, but also because they have an intrinsic value of their own.” (Press statement of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, 06 May 2009).

The Agreement of 21 March 2008 reached between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), paved the way for the establishment of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, dedicated to the recognition, promotion and protection of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Cyprus. The Committee is supported in its work by an Advisory Board composed of archaeologists, architects, art historians and town planners from both communities. All its programmatic decisions are taken in line with the agreed principles and the task attributed to them by the two Leaders.

The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage works to provide a mutually acceptable mechanism for the implementation of practical measures for the proper preservation, physical protection and restoration (including research, study and survey) of the cultural heritage of Cyprus. The Committee believes that the protection of cultural heritage is an integral part of the ongoing process of broadening areas of cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, which can most effectively be achieved through joint efforts. The protection of cultural heritage also stimulates sustainable development and mutual understanding.

An initial list of 40 sites in need of emergency care and conservation was approved by the Leaders. Additional monuments of great historical value or notable size have been added to this list. Particular attention was given to the archaeological importance of the monuments, reflecting their uniqueness, historical significance and role in society as well as their future educational role.

Objectives

  • To support the reconciliation process and to increase the trust between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities through the implementation of confidence building measures agreed by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH).

  • Preservation of Cypriot cultural heritage by supporting conservation and emergency measures for high importance monuments agreed by the Technical Committee on Culture in Cyprus.

Implementing Partners:

Since 2010 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has assisted the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage to preserve the cultural heritage of Cyprus.

UNDP directly implements and administers the Committee's conservation works and visibility efforts, hence creating a favourable environment for the non-political consideration of cultural heritage on both sides of the island.

Joint monitoring visits and regular meetings with the Advisory Board of the Technical Committee are facilitated by UNDP to encourage and ensure the direct involvement in each stage of the project cycle. The direct involvement of technical teams from both communities (architects, archaeologists, engineers etc.) act, in time, as team- and confidence-building measures, allowing for increased exchange of experiences and the setting of a positive example of successful collaboration between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Moreover, UNDP provides logistical and strategic support to the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in its efforts to re-establish community links between villages and their former residents and encourage cross-community exchanges.

Results

The following cultural heritage sites benefited under this phase of the project

Designs for future conservation:

Agios Andronicos (only the roof) in Kythrea

Panagia Melandrina in Kalograia

Conservation works:

Panagia Kanakaria in Lythrangomi

Panagia Chrysopolitissa in Kyrenia

Agia Paraskevi in Famagusta

Agios Prokopios in Syggrasi

Agios Andronicos (only the roof) in Kythrea

Panagia Melandrina in Kalograia

Secular heritage preventive works:

Two watermills in Kythrea

Olive oil mill in Lapithos

Two watermills in Lapithos

Preventive works:

St. Nicolas church Davlos

Panagia Aimatousa church in Neta

Panagia Galaktotrofousa church in Palekythro

Agia Irini in Kyrenia

Agia Paraskevi in Paleosofos

Agios Philihonas in Rizokarpaso

Agios Georgios church in Eptakomi

Agios Gorgios church in Melounta

Timios Prodomos in Neo Chorio

Panagia Trahona in Nicosia

Impact

START DATE

February 2024

END DATE

February 2027

STATUS

Ongoing

PROJECT OFFICE

Cyprus

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER

UNDP

DONORS

Church of Cyprus

EVKAF ADMINISTRATION

GOVERNMENT OF CYPRUS

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS

$3,817,309

DELIVERY IN PREVIOUS YEARS

2024$491,416

2025$284,322

Full Project information(link is external)