Programming of 2014 – 2020 EU funds

The Ministry of Culture of the Lithuanian Republic plans to make an analysis of the investments’ needs and possibilities for the programming of 2014-2020 structural EU funds. The Ministry asked the responsible institutions and private entities to present descriptions of possible projects for the cultural heritage and cultural infrastructure field till 17 02 2014.

Vilnius Old Town has a special status after it was included into UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. Vilnius Old Town is defined in the World heritage list as a cultural heritage site, so the protection of the Old Town should be a complex and integral protection. The quality and quantity of private heritage renewal and conservation works decreased since 2008, after the Old Town „Community Development“ programme was stopped (the programme consolidated private and state financing sources). The revitalisation of the „Community Development“ programme would ensure the continuation and integral character of the Old Town renewal works, and also the trust in public sector of the local community. It is important that the financial support is not only the guarantee of the necessary quality, but also a stimulus for the growth of the improvement works. The continuation of the financial support for residents who plan to improve their historic buildings and environment would create a background to increase the attention, activeness and responsibility regarding the quality of cultural heritage conservation and maintenance of historical buildings.

Vilnius Old Town Renewal Agency presented five projects to the Ministry of Culture for the systematic improvement of immovable cultural heritage objects conservation and maintenance. Projects involve a research and improvement of authentic heritage buildings, unique wooden architecture objects; the establishment of the Research and Information Centre of Vilnius Old Town and also the establishment of the Training Centre of Vilnius Traditional Crafts and Ethnographical Trades.