The International Coalition of Sites of Conscience Awarded Grant to Strengthen Museum and Heritage Sites in Ukraine

With funding from the State Department’s Ukraine Cultural Heritage Response Initiative, the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC) will facilitate “Museums Strengthen Democracy,” a dynamic cultural exchange and capacity building project to equip ten museums and heritage sites in Ukraine to create programming that promotes social cohesion and democratic values in their communities.

As so many around the world do, museums and heritage sites in Ukraine have the potential to foster cultures of democracy by providing platforms where communities can examine their past with transparency, develop more inclusive understandings of others, and promote values and systems that support a more just and humane world. Unfortunately, despite gains made since its independence in 1991, Ukraine’s museum field still suffers from the effects of Russia’s nearly 70-year rule. Many sites in the country adhere to outdated management and public engagement approaches, viewing museums as places for experts and expertise, rather than for the community. A lack of operating transparency, capacity building and networking opportunities curtail the sector’s ability to nurture critical thinking. The current conflict has made the situation even more urgent, with UNESCO reporting that 438 cultural sites in Ukraine have been destroyed since the 2022 invasion, among them museums, libraries, monuments and religious buildings.

To address this dire situation, the U.S. Department of State awarded the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience a $500,000 grant in October 2024 to conduct an 18-month initiative that will build the capacity of ten museums and heritage sites in Ukraine to launch transformative projects in their communities that preserve the country’s unique cultural heritage and empower Ukrainians to promote a rights-based future for their country.

“Museums and heritage sites are not simply brick and mortar,” explains Linda Norris, Senior Specialist of Methodology and Practice at ICSC, who will help facilitate the project. “They are active spaces that can and should energize the public – in this case, by fostering critical thinking and building inclusive narratives in Ukrainian communities, efforts that are still building strength in the decades after independence.” To promote a broad and equitable impact, the Museums Strengthen Democracy initiative will select ten mid-size history, local lore and ethnographic museums, as well as historic sites and preserves, with a focus on those located outside the major urban centers of Kyiv and Lviv, recognizing the importance of diverse cultural contributions from all regions of Ukraine. The participants, who will be chosen through an application process, will then receive 20 hours in virtual training courses that address the gaps and needs that the participants themselves have identified. Topics may include strengthening community critical skills thinking; collections and community engagement; developing community dialogues; and developing theories of change, among others. Once the training is complete, ICSC will provide catalytic financial support for project participants to design and implement public-facing civic engagement projects – such as exhibitions, public dialogues and other programming – that foster social cohesion and respect for inclusion and democratic values.

“Ukrainians continue to fight, not only against Russia’s brutal invasion, but also for their distinct identity and unique culture. U.S. funding for this project will help support ongoing efforts to protect and preserve cultural heritage in Ukraine. ICSC, with its 25-year history and global network, will be a valuable partner to equip museum practitioners in Ukraine with the skills they need,” notes a spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine. Throughout the 18-month initiative, project participants will be supported by a network of Ukrainian and American museum and heritage professionals, who will assist in the project’s curriculum and implementation. In addition, each participant will be paired with an innovative, experienced Sites of Conscience partner in the United States for the project’s duration. Virtual learning opportunities and exchanges will also be augmented by in-person exchanges, including a five-day exchange in Washington, D.C., wherein project participants, partners and ICSC staff will exchange knowledge and visit U.S. museums and heritage sites to explore how critical thinking about the past can advance social justice today. A final, culminating meeting in Poland will bring together participants, partners and Sites of Conscience from Central and Eastern Europe to reflect on lessons learned and identify key priorities for strengthening Ukrainian museums’ role in building a healthy and thriving democracy in Ukraine. Museums Strengthen Democracy will also produce a range of knowledge-sharing products, such as webinars, toolkits, videos and recommendations to be disseminated to the broader field.

How to apply

ICSC invites museum and heritage professionals from across Ukraine to apply. This initiative will bring together a select cohort of 10 participants representing a diversity of institutions, from national museums to local heritage sites. By fostering a multidisciplinary network of curators, administrators, and cultural managers, we aim to drive innovative approaches in heritage management and preservation.

Applicants from all regions of Ukraine are encouraged to apply, with a particular focus on professionals outside of Kyiv and L’viv to ensure a broad range of regional perspectives. Selected participants must have proficiency in English and the ability to obtain a visa for international travel, as the project includes opportunities for global exchange and collaboration. Applications are due November 28, 2024.

For all requirements and to apply, click here.