The African Artisans Cultural Heritage Programme is taking shape after ICCROM’s Director-General, Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, and Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, signed a groundbreaking agreement in Rome. This partnership will deliver a three-year initiative to train and empower young artisans across four African countries.
Funded by a €6 million grant from the Italian Government through its Directorate General for Development Cooperation, the programme will give a new generation of African craftspeople the skills and knowledge needed to protect and promote the continent’s diverse heritage. It will also open new socio-economic opportunities within the heritage and conservation sectors.
The Fabbrica di San Pietro in the Vatican, known for centuries of leadership in conservation, will work closely with ICCROM to implement the project. The signing ceremony was attended by His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, who gave his blessing to the programme’s launch.
The initiative will begin with training for 540 artisans from Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, and Tunisia. A Training-of-Trainers approach will be used so that participants can pass on their skills to others, creating a ripple effect of expertise across Africa. The aim is to formalize craft professions, strengthen cultural preservation, and provide sustainable careers in heritage work.
ICCROM’s Director-General stated that cultural heritage in the hands of local communities can build social cohesion, strengthen identity, and encourage dialogue, especially among young people. She described the programme as a strategic investment in human capital rooted in cultural legacy and local traditions. The collaboration brings together Italy’s conservation expertise, the skill of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, and ICCROM’s global experience to create long-term socio-economic benefits.
Deputy Minister Cirielli emphasized that investing in craft training and heritage preservation promotes sustainable development while offering tangible opportunities for youth. He noted that the agreement supports the transfer of knowledge essential for maintaining Africa’s cultural heritage sites.
This initiative is aligned with Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, which seeks fair and sustainable partnerships between Italy and African nations. ICCROM supports this vision, recognizing that real progress comes from partnerships built on respect, local expertise, and cultural identity.
This agreement marks a major step in the partnership between Italy and ICCROM. It reflects a shared commitment to making cultural heritage a driver of positive, lasting change for future generations.
