Rome – On 25 July 2025, ICCROM’s Director-General, Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral and Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, signed a landmark Agreement to jointly implement a transformative new Programme in 4 African countries.
Backed by a generous €6 million grant from the Italian Government through the Directorate General for Development Cooperation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, this three-year Programme aims to equip a new generation of African artisans with the skills and knowledge needed to promote and preserve the continent's rich and diverse heritage and create socio-economic opportunities in this field. Implemented in close partnership with the Fabbrica di San Pietro in the Vatican, the Programme draws on centuries-long leadership in conservation.
His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, honoured the occasion with his presence to share greetings and a blessing over the ceremony.
The catalytic project targets an initial group of 540 young artisans in Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya and Tunisia, and is designed to have a multiplier effect through a Training-of-Trainers model, which will propel wide-scale upskilling and formalization of craft professions throughout Africa.
“We’ve
seen how cultural heritage, when placed in the hands of communities, can foster
social cohesion, identity, and dialogue – especially among youth. This
initiative builds on our vision
that promoting human
capital, rooted in
cultural legacy and local
traditions, is a strategic long-term investment. Today we mark a
powerful alliance: Italy’s leadership in conservation, the excellence of the
Fabbrica di San Pietro, and ICCROM’s global experience coming
together to shape concrete
opportunities and socio-economic growth towards
transformative change,”
stated ICCROM’s Director-General.
The Programme aligns with Italy’s
Mattei Plan for Africa,
which promotes
sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships between Italy and African
countries. ICCROM
strongly supports this vision,
which reflects the
Organization’s
belief that sustainable development in Africa must be rooted
in fair and respectful partnerships that value
human capital, local expertise, and cultural
identity.
This is a significant step forward in the strategic partnership between Italy and ICCROM, highlighting our shared commitment to making cultural heritage a driver of lasting change for future generations. Our heritage is our future.
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