The International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas (ALIPH), in partnership with the European Union, has announced a new competition for projects aimed at protecting the cultural heritage of Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, from the growing threats posed by climate change and natural disasters. The announcement was made by ALIPH Executive Director Valéry Freland at the Aral Cultural Summit, which took place on April 4-6, 2025, in Uzbekistan.

The initiative, funded by the European Union, is intended to intensify efforts to preserve the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the region. ALIPH will oversee the grant-making process, which will be divided into two types: small grants (up to €27,000) and medium grants (up to €180,000).

These grants are focused on supporting specific local initiatives that can deliver clear and measurable socio-economic results. This competition marks the second such event organized by ALIPH in less than a year to combat climate threats. The European Union is partnering with ALIPH in this important endeavor, collaborating with local authorities and institutions involved in cultural heritage preservation.

Institutions, private organizations, universities, and research centers engaged in the protection of cultural heritage are eligible to participate in the competition. Applications are open until 15:00 Central European Time (CET) on July 31, 2025. Funding decisions are expected by December 2025.

More detailed information about the competition and application requirements can be found on the ALIPH website at the following link: ALIPH Call for Projects.

This initiative opens up new opportunities for Turkmen organizations and specialists working in the field of cultural heritage preservation to receive financial support for implementing projects aimed at protecting the country's unique historical and cultural monuments from the negative impacts of climate change.

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