On March 7, 2025, took place the #Women4Heritage online event, organized by Europa Nostra. During the event was drawing attention to the role of women in cultural heritage preservation, particularly in conflict situations. The event is part of the broader Europa Nostra Heritage Agora program (2025-2028), funded by the European Union through the Creative Europe program.

This year’s discussion brought together women leaders, activists, experts, and volunteers from various countries who are engaged in safeguarding both tangible and intangible heritage, as well as using heritage as a tool for peacebuilding and social cohesion. As noted by Sneska Quaedvlieg Mihailovic, Secretary General of Europa Nostra, the goal of the event was to highlight the importance of women’s involvement in cultural heritage protection and peacebuilding processes, especially in conflict zones and post-conflict regions.

In her speech, Lesia Voroniuk, Ukrainian cultural curator and head of the “World Vyshyvanka Day” organization, focused on issues of identity and the preservation of cultural collections, many of which are currently in private hands. She also emphasized the importance of returning cultural values, preserving heritage in changing environments, and adapting it to new contexts.

Angela Atzori, Team Leader for Cultural Heritage at the DG EAC of the European Commission, highlighted the significance of international cooperation in preserving heritage and uniting different cultures and communities. She also pointed out two major threats to heritage: “neglect” and manipulation through political narratives, which can lead to the destruction or disregard of important cultural sites.

Particular attention was drawn to the inspiring speeches of participants from various organizations working to protect cultural heritage in conflict and disaster-affected areas:

• Mathilde Augé, Executive Director of World Monuments Fund France, shared her organization’s experience in safeguarding threatened heritage sites. She stressed the need for international collaboration in preserving cultural monuments and the importance of involving local communities in heritage protection efforts.
• Elke Selter, Program Director at the ALIPH Foundation (International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas), emphasized the significance of sustainable funding and support for heritage preservation projects in conflict zones. She called for greater coordination between international and local organizations to ensure long-term results.
• Tamar Sopromadze, Program Assistant at Blue Shield Georgia, discussed her organization’s experience in preserving cultural heritage in Georgia, where conflicts have significantly impacted cultural sites. She highlighted the importance of using modern technology to protect and preserve heritage.
• Amra Hadžimuhamedović, Director of the Center for Cultural Heritage at the International Forum Bosnia, shared her experience in preserving cultural heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the war. She talked about the challenges cultural institutions face in post-conflict settings and the role of cultural diplomacy in reconciliation processes.

Representatives from the Ukrainian Media League also became part of this international initiative. Ukrainian experts focused on the importance of cultural heritage as part of national identity, especially in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The UML representatives also emphasized the significant role of the media in raising awareness about cultural heritage preservation and engaging with the international community to support Ukrainian initiatives in this field.

The event also included a Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to interact directly with experts, exchange ideas, and share experiences. This served as a valuable platform for forming new connections and developing strategies for the further advancement of heritage protection initiatives. In her closing remarks, Sneska Quaedvlieg Mihailovic highlighted the importance of supporting women in this field and the need to recognize their contributions to heritage preservation and global peacebuilding efforts.

#Women4Heritage 2025 confirmed that women play a key role in cultural heritage preservation and peacebuilding, making significant contributions to the development of sustainable initiatives and fostering international dialogue through culture.

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