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Draft Concept of the Culture Resilience Alliance 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Cultural Resilience Alliance (CRA) is an international cooperation platform initiated and coordinated by Ukraine that brings together states, international organisations, donor institutions and civil society to support culture as a driver of resilience, recovery and peacebuilding in times of war and post-crisis transformation. The Alliance is based on the principles of solidarity, respect for cultural diversity and shared responsibility. 2. BACKGROUND Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion: 1, 521 cultural heritage sites have been damaged, 2 7 completely destroyed (as of June 2025); 2,3 27 cultural institutions have been damaged, 4 4 6 completely destroyed (as of June 2025); 2,200 cultural institutions remain in the temporarily occupied territories; 197 cultural institutions have been relocated; 20% of specialists in the field have left the country; 37% of workers in the field have lost their jobs or are not receiving salaries; 35% lower salaries in culture than the average for the Ukrainian economy; 44% of the population do not have access to cultural services due to their closeness to the front line or the lack of shelters in institutions; $24.4 billion — total losses of the cultural sector (RDNA4 estimate). The CRA was initiated in accordance with the Strategy for the Development of Culture in Ukraine until 2030, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 293 of 28 March 2025, specifically the objectives of Strategic Goal 3, ‘Enhancing the sustainability of culture as a societal system’. The need for such a coordination platform was repeatedly discussed during events held as a part of On the Road to URC 2025 initiative. 3 . STRATEGIC VISION The Culture Resilience Alliance (CRA) will form a new international architecture of cooperation, in which culture will be seen not only as something to be protected, but as a cornerstone f or the future — inclusive, technological, human istic . In a world experiencing multiple crises, the CRA will unite partners around the belief that culture is not a ‘post-war luxury’ but a necessary tool for resilience, recovery, solidarity and modernization . The Alliance supports solutions that combine tradition and innovation, reconstruction and restoration , local actions and global values for long-term investment in communities, infrastructures, memory and new technologies — with culture at the centre of recovery and development . 4. MAIN FOCUS AREAS ( STRATEGIC PRIORITIES) Monitoring, assessment and documentation of damage to cultural heritage in Ukraine. Protection and reconstruction of material cultural heritage. Regeneration of cultural institutions and cultural education. Strengthening of cultural and creative industries of Ukraine. Digital transformation of cultural heritage management . Contribution of culture to national resilience, recovery, community development, social cohesion, and economic growth. These focus areas are consistent with priorities identified in the joint Action Plan for Culture in Ukraine, developed by the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine and UNESCO and presented in May 2024. 5 . ALLIANCE OBJECTIVES Strengthen the role of culture as a strategic resource for recovery, resilience and democratic development in times of crisis and transformation. Coordinate the mobilisation of technical, financial and political support for culture. Develop a network of partnerships between states, communities, institutions and cultural professionals to exchange experience, knowledge, approaches, practices and resources. Develop inclusive models of cultural governance. Support cultural and creative communities as drivers of change, innovation, inclusiveness and connection between people, territories and generations. 6 . MECHANISM FOR JOINING THE CRA Membership in the Culture Resilience Alliance (CRA) is open to all interested governments, institutions, and organisations that support its vision and principles. The CRA welcomes new members through a transparent and flexible mechanism. To join the CRA, a country or organisation may notify the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine of its intention to become a member — in any form that is convenient and appropriate to the partner (e.g., diplomatic note, official letter, etc.). This inclusive approach is designed to facilitate broad participation, reduce administrative burden, and ensure timely coordination of shared efforts in the field of cultural resilience. 7 . PARTNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT Annual high-level meetings with presentations of reports. Thematic working groups in accordance with the six strategic priorities . Coordination unit at the MCSC — for communication, support of participants and liaison with international partners . ROME MANIFESTO on the establishment of the Culture Resilience Alliance In response to the unprecedented cultural losses caused by the war against Ukraine and in light of global challenges affecting cultural heritage, identity, and access to culture, in follow-up of the Vilnius Call for Action on the Recovery of the Culture Sector of Ukraine (Vilnius, 6-7 June 2024), Declaration «Culture, common good of humanity, common responsibility» of G7 Ministerial Meeting on Culture (Naples, 20 September 2024) , and Declaration on Strengthening Cultural Sector Resilience in Ukraine adopted on the first International Conference “Cooperation for Resilience” (Uzhhorod, 1 February 2025) , we, the founding signatories of this Manifesto, stand united in recognizing the profound importance of protecting and preserving the cultural identity of Ukraine. Together, we aim to honor the past, protect the present, and ensure a vibrant future for Ukrainian culture. We formally announce the establishment of the Culture Resilience Alliance (CRA) as the next milestone in this strategic trajectory . T he CRA — an international, Ukraine-coordinated platform for strategic cooperation in support of culture as a mean of resilience in times of war , achieving just and lasting peace , as well as a driver of recovery and regeneration in the post- war phase. The C RA brings together governments, international organisations, private donors, and civil society to coordinate efforts in embedding cultural dimension into long-term recovery and development frameworks. This Alliance is founded on the principles of solidarity, cultural diversity, and shared responsibility and is focused on the following six strategic priorities embedded into the Action Plan for Culture, coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications and UNESCO, and gathering international and national partners : Monitoring, assessment and documentation of damage to cultural heritage in Ukraine. P rotection and reconstruction of material cultural heritage. R egeneration of cultural institutions and cultural education. Strengthening of cultural and creative industries of Ukraine. Digital transformation of cultural heritage management . Contribution of culture to national resilience , recovery, community development, social cohesion, and economic growth. By signing this Manifesto, we express our commitment to : a lign our programmes and resources with these six strategic prorities ; c oordinate technical and financial support with the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine; c ontribute to a long-term framework of international cooperation based on cultural rights, sustainable development, and inclusive governance. The C RA is open to all actors who share these priorities and are ready to contribute — through expertise, funding, or other means — to support solutions that combine tradition and innovation, reconstruction and restoration, local actions and global values for long-term investment in communities , infrastructures , memory and new technologies — with culture at the centre of recovery and development. Together, we affirm that investing in culture is essential not only for protecting the past, but for securing a resilient, inclusive, and shared future . This Manifesto is open for joining. Signed in Rome, July 10, 2025 on the occasion of the Ukraine Recovery Conference For the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine For the Ministry of Culture of the Italian Republic Mykola Tochytskyi Minister Alessandro Giuli Minister Saatja: [email protected] <[email protected]> Saaja: Hryhorenko H Teema: Follow-up on Culture Resilience Alliance – Revised Procedure and Clarifications Dear colleagues, We hope this message finds you well. Following our previous communication regarding the Culture Resilience Alliance (CRA), we would like to inform you on recent developments of this important international initiative. In light of the feedback we received from several countries, we have revised the procedure outlined in the previously sent concept note. The CRA will be open to join, without application procedure. Countries and organisations may join the Alliance by informing the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine of their intention to do so — in any convenient form. Please find attached the updated Concept Note and Rome Manifesto of the Culture Resilience Alliance. Countries may send an official letter confirming their intention to join. Based on these confirmations — and following the formal signature between our Minister and the Italian Minister — Minister Tochytskyi will publicly announce the full list of founding members. We would also like to take this opportunity to clarify an important point: The Culture Resilience Alliance (CRA) and the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund (UCHF) are separate initiatives. The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund is a dedicated mechanism focused solely on the recovery and preservation of cultural heritage sites affected by the war. The CRA, on the other hand, is a broader cooperation and coordination platform aimed at supporting the resilience of the entire cultural sector — including but not limited to heritage. It covers areas such as the arts, cultural and creative industries, cultural education, film, digitalisation, and more. We understand that some partners may have concerns about being automatically affiliated with the UCHF by supporting the CRA. Please rest assured that these are distinct initiatives with separate scopes and structures. We are very much looking forward to your responses. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do write to me — I would be happy to provide any clarifications. Warm regards, Maryna Kulinich Director of the Department for Strategic Planning and Investment Development Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine +380971771081