Call for Applications: Climate Literacy Training for Heritage Professionals in Central Asia

About the Climate Literacy Training for Heritage Professionals in Central Asia

Cultural heritage across Central Asia is increasingly threatened by climate change, including desertification, water scarcity, glacial retreat, and extreme heat. Despite these growing risks, there remains a critical need for enhanced climate literacy and practical tools among heritage professionals in the region.

This training programme aims to address this gap by equipping participants with:

• Foundational knowledge of climate science and its impacts on cultural heritage
• Tools and methodologies for climate risk assessment
• Skills to support climate action and communication in heritage contexts
• Potential to act as future trainers through an introduction to train-the-trainer module

The programme will combine theoretical input with practical exercises and will be tailored to the Central Asian context, integrating regional knowledge and local perspectives.

Training Format and Structure

The training will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and will include:

• A 2.5-day in-person training (starting 1 July 2026)
• A follow-up online support session

The course will be delivered by regional and international experts from the ICOMOS Climate Action Working Group, in English and Russian (consecutive interpretation will be provided).

Who Can Apply to the Climate Literacy Training

This call is open to heritage professionals working at the intersection of cultural heritage and climate change from the following countries:

• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Tajikistan
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan

Applicants may include (but are not limited to):

• Heritage practitioners and site managers;
• Conservation architects and engineers;
• Researchers and academics;
• Community members directly engaged in site management and governance;
• Representatives of cultural institutions or public authorities
• Professionals engaged with Indigenous and local knowledge systems
• ICOMOS members from the region

Selection, Financial Support and Application Process of the Climate Literacy Training

A total of 15 participants will be selected based on:

• Professional experience and relevance to the training topic
• Motivation and potential to apply and disseminate acquired knowledge
• Regional and gender balance

Selected participants will receive coverage of travel costs as well as accommodation and meals for the duration of the training.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications by 25 May 2026.
Applications should include a CV and a short motivation statement (max. 500 words) outlining relevant experience and expectations.

For further information, contact projects[at]icomos.org

This programme is made possible thanks to the support of ALIPH and the European Union.