Ülevaade Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fundi (UCHF) loomisest ja võimalikest koostöösuundadest

UKRAINIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND

CONCEPT The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund (UCHF) is a multi-donor platform dedicated to protecting and restoring Ukraine’s cultural heritage and development of Ukrainian culture amid the devastation of war.

VISION

MISSION

To preserve, restore, and promote Ukraine’s cultural heritage and culture as expressions of its identity, resilience, and democratic values, ensuring their renewal for future generations through international solidarity and national commitment.

UCHF mobilises international resources to protect, restore, and revitalise Ukraine’s cultural heritage damaged by war and develop Ukrainian culture.

Through transparent, inclusive, and sustainable approaches, the Fund strengthens Ukraine’s cultural resilience

BACKGROUND AND ESTABLISHMENT FEBRUARY 2025

The initiative to establish the Fund was announced

in the Uzhhorod Declaration on

Strengthening the Resilience of Ukraine’s

Cultural Sector, endorsed by 31

countries.

MAY 2025 The European

Commission reaffirmed that the preservation of

Ukraine’s cultural heritage is a priority and presented a study by the European

Expert Network on Culture (EENC).

JUNE 2025

A working seminar was held in Florence, bringing

together 40 experts from 15 countries. It became an important

milestone in shaping the Fund’s concept and

defining the first steps toward its launch.

JULY 2025 The Fund was

officially presented during the Ukraine

Recovery Conference (URC2025) in Rome.

SEPTEMBER 2025

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the

Ministry of Culture and Strategic

Communications of Ukraine (MCSC) and the

International Alliance for the Protection of

Heritage (ALIPH), marking the beginning of the Fund’s

practical implementation phase.

OCTOBER 2025 UCHF is in the process of being registered in

Brussels as a non- profit association with an international scope.

FUND’S KEY AREAS OF WORK

CULTURAL

HERITAGE

CULTURE AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

Provide financial support for initiatives focused on the preservation, stabilisation, restoration, rehabilitation, and sustainable use of Ukraine’s cultural heritage.

Promote the digital transformation of heritage protection and restoration processes.

Engage international expertise and resources to accelerate recovery efforts.

Support the training and professional development of specialists in heritage protection, preservation, and restoration (including restorers, architects, curators, and related experts).

Facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices between Ukrainian and international professionals.

Promote and develop culture and creative industries in Ukraine as key drivers of innovation and resilience.

Support capacity building and professional training for cultural sector professionals.

Foster international cultural exchange and cooperation to enhance the global presence of Ukrainian culture.

THE FUND OPERATES UNDER BELGIAN LAW AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH AN INTERNATIONAL SCOPE.

STRUCTURE The ALIPH Foundation, together with the MCSC (represented by the Ukrainian Center for Cultural Research, UCCR), are co-founders of a non-profit organization registered in Brussels. The co-founders have established transparency, accountability, and responsibility as the Fund’s core principles.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Oversees operations, programs, and resources, including representatives from founding members, Ukrainian authorities, and civil society

Scientific Committee

Provides the Fund with recommendations on scientific matters related to the selection and evaluation of programs and projects eligible for funding.

Approves strategy, budgets, and appoints Board members

THE BOARD

Ethics and Governance Committee Oversees compliance with ethical standards and governance norms of the Fund.

Audit Committee Conducts audits of the Fund’s activities and ensures compliance with the Fund’s standards.

MANAGING DIRECTOR Heads the Fund’s Secretariat, manages its operational activities, and is responsible for the effective implementation of the Board’s programs and decisions. Appointed through an open competitive selection process in accordance with principles of transparency and integrity.

SECRETARIAT Ensures the day-to-day operations of the association, as well as the proper implementation and evaluation of the Fund’s programs and projects.

OUR NEXT STEPS

PHASE 1 Q4 2025

• Register the non-profit association (ASBL) in Brussels

• Interim Acting Manager launches the Fund

• Open a dedicated bank account in Brussels

• Draft and approve by-law

• Nominate Ukraine and ALIPH representatives to the Board

• Appoint the Board of Directors

PHASE 1 Q1 2026

• Launch an open call for Managing Director

• Complete organizational setup — Fund becomes fully operational

• Begin transition from ASBL → AISBL (international non- profit association)

PHASE 3 Q2-Q4 2026

• Confirm composition of Expert Boards

• Approve evaluation methodology for project selection

• Launch open calls for project proposals

• Evaluate and select first portfolio of projects