The German Government has been supporting the preservation of cultural heritage abroad since 1981 through the Cultural Preservation Programme of the Federal Foreign Office. The programme supports projects that safeguard important intangible and tangible cultural heritage that testifies to the history of humankind. In this way, Germany is helping to ensure that historically important cultural heritage can continue to be enjoyed in the future, as well as promoting knowledge transfer and fostering intercultural dialogue.

The programme supports cultural heritage preservation projects abroad and the protection of German cultural heritage abroad. Funding for projects in historic German settlement areas in Eastern Europe is provided by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, as well as by the Federal Institute for Culture and History of Eastern Europe.

Federal Foreign Office Cultural Preservation Programme funding helps to protect and maintain cultural identity in partner countries. The programme also focuses on preserving cultural heritage – not least where it is endangered by climate change, crises and conflicts.

Since 1981, projects in more than 145 countries have been facilitated by the Cultural Preservation Programme.

The programme covers a wide range of activities, including:

• Restoring and conserving historic buildings and objects
• Supporting the restoration and conservation of World Heritage sites
• Collecting and documenting oral traditions in music and literature
• Conserving and digitising historic manuscripts and film/audio archives, as well as data on cultural property
• Documenting endangered cultural heritage (films, publications)
• Providing vocational and further training for restoration experts, archivists, museum experts and researchers

Prerequisites for project funding