Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports partners with UNDP to renovate two important cultural heritage sites

The Ministry for Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kosovo signed today a cost-sharing agreement to renovate two important cultural heritage sites. MCYS will fund and UNDP will implement full renovation and rehabilitation of major cultural heritage landmarks: the Xhafer Deva house in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica and the Drenoc/Drenovce mosque in Deçan/Dečani municipality.

Implementation will come under the scope of the European Union (EU), Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) -funded “Cultural Heritage as a Driver for Intercommunity Dialogue and Social Cohesion” project, which is implemented by UNDP, in close cooperation with MCYS on selected sites.

Minister Hajrulla Çeku and Ms. Maria Suokko, UNDP Resident Representative, in presence of the representatives from the EU/IcSP and EU Office in Kosovo, signed the agreement complementing the ongoing project interventions. This agreement marks the continued cooperation to protect and preserve important cultural heritage sites in Kosovo and will ensure that these landmarks are given back to communities for their use.

Minister Çeku emphasized the importance of cooperation and coordination for protection of cultural heritage, in particular for the Cultural Heritage as a Driver for Intercommunity Dialogue and Social Cohesion project: “I would like to re-confirm the importance of cultural heritage as a driver for social cohesion and sustainable peace and economic revitalization. The project, initiated by the EU and implemented by UNDP, is very wisely designed to respect cultural diversity, and bring together communities through cultural heritage conservation and promotion. Given the fact that cultural heritage is our governmental priority, we are very delighted to be contributing also financially for restoration of two important cultural heritage sites, Xhafer Deva House in Mitrovica and Mosque in village Dranoc, which will be part of this project. “

“We are pleased to see the level of commitment by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in preserving Kosovo’s rich cultural heritage. This financial contribution for restoring two very important landmarks clearly demonstrates it. This additional contribution by the Ministry will allow us to include Xhafer Deva House in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica and Drenoc/Drenovc Mosque in Deçan/Dečani in the list of sites of the ongoing EU-funded “Cultural Heritage as a Driver for Intercommunity Dialogue and Social Cohesion” project. The interventions will make these buildings accessible to people once again. We greatly value the excellent cooperation between the Ministry, the EU and UNDP,” said Maria Suokko at the signing ceremony.

Stefano Gnocchi, Adviser on Minority Communities, Religious and Cultural Heritage at the EU in Kosovo office said on this occasion: ‘’The European Union in Kosovo is strongly committed in preserving Kosovo’s rich heritage through renovation and rehabilitation of cultural and religious objects. The EU in Kosovo will continue supporting Kosovo and its’ local and international partners in attaining the same goal which is long-term commitment to the betterment of Kosovo’s society as a whole.’’

Along with the EU contribution of 2 million Euros for the “Cultural Heritage as a Driver for Intercommunity Dialogue and Social Cohesion” project, today’s cost-sharing agreement of an additional 370,000 Euros from the MCYS is a testimony and commitment to continued cooperation between the EU, the MCYS and UNDP.