Experts on safeguarding cultural heritage from extreme risks are invited to participate in the READY Project
A groundbreaking initiative aimed at strengthening European professionals’ capacities
April 6, 2025, 11:19 am

Experts on safeguarding cultural heritage from extreme risks are invited to participate in the READY Project

إيكروم

Rome, Italy- 4 April 2025: The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), through its First Aid and Resilience for Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis programme (FAR), in partnership with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) and in cooperation with various technical partners across Europe, is pleased to announce the call for participation in the 1st track of the READY project, which will feature an international training course running from May 2025 to February 2026 titled "Safeguarding Heritage Collections, Living Traditions, and Practices in the Face of Disasters, Extreme Weather Events, and Complex Emergencies."
This groundbreaking and innovative initiative, funded by the EU, is designed for professionals who want to significantly impact their communities by protecting at-risk heritage. The project aims to enhance the ability to safeguard all forms of heritage from extreme threats, including disasters caused by climate change and armed conflicts, both in Europe and beyond. It seeks practical solutions to the pressing question: How can we protect heritage from increasing risks while harnessing its potential to mitigate disaster impacts, adapt to a changing climate, and promote lasting peace?
The READY initiative offers a comprehensive training course to equip participants with the skills necessary for adequate heritage protection, with practical projects implemented in their regions over 6 months. The course is structured, in English, in four distinct phases, combining online and in-person learning.
The first phase involves four-week online orientation sessions from late May to late June 2025. The second phase consists of a 15-day In-Person Training on movable and intangible cultural heritage, starting after July 15, 2025, in Riga, Latvia. The third phase entails follow-up field projects from August 2025 to February 2026, during which participants will propose projects to enhance heritage management capacities in their home countries. Finally, the fourth phase includes an international online meeting to disseminate project outcomes.
The READY1 initiative invites applications from a wide variety of heritage protection professionals. This includes cultural heritage experts working in museums, libraries, archives, and other cultural institutions; community leaders dedicated to preserving living traditions and knowledge systems within their communities; as well as professionals from the fields of disaster management, civil protection, climate adaptation, and emergency response. Interested candidates must be citizens of European and non-European countries participating in the Creative Europe programme and should submit their applications through the online application form before 20 April 2025.
The READY initiative is a pivotal advancement in enhancing the skills and capabilities of heritage professionals throughout Europe. By engaging in the READY program, heritage professionals not only equip themselves with the tools needed to protect cultural assets but also take on a critical role in advocating for sustainable heritage practices. This commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage ensures that future generations can appreciate and learn from Europe’s rich history and diverse cultural legacy.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”