European Union and ALIPH Launch 29 Major Cultural Heritage Projects to Combat Climate Impact Across Central Asia

EUR 1.5M EU-ALIPH initiative protects Central Asian heritage from climate change. 29 projects launched in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and more.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 7:05 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan

A Regional Response to Environmental Heritage Threats

The European Union and the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH) have officially commenced 29 cultural heritage projects across Central Asia, marking a significant escalation in regional conservation efforts. This multi country initiative was triggered by an overwhelming response to a Call for Projects that saw 233 applications from across the region. Co-funded with a total of EUR 1.5 million, the program allocates EUR 1.1 million from the European Union, with ALIPH contributing the remaining balance. The projects are strategically distributed across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, focusing on the protection of both physical monuments and living traditions.

Preserving the Architectural Anchors of Central Asian History

A primary pillar of the initiative involves the stabilization and conservation of iconic archaeological and architectural sites that are increasingly vulnerable to weather extremes. In Tajikistan, the program will focus on the World Heritage site of Sarazm, while in Uzbekistan, interventions are planned for the Ak-Saray Palace and the Kayrit Oasis. Turkmenistan’s Dandanakan Mosque is also slated for protection. These sites serve as critical links to the region’s Silk Road history, and the current interventions combine structural safeguarding with meticulous documentation to ensure that these physical landmarks can withstand the evolving pressures of a changing climate.

Modernizing Museum Infrastructure and Professional Capacity

The initiative extends beyond field sites to the institutions responsible for housing Central Asia’s movable history. Major restoration works and professional training programs are being launched at the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan and the Kasteyev Museum in Kazakhstan. In Uzbekistan, special attention is being given to Karakalpakstan, specifically the Savitsky Museum and the Ecological Museum in Muynak, the latter of which serves as a vital repository for heritage related to the Aral Sea. Furthermore, regional programs will foster exchange among museum professionals, including a museology forum in Astana designed to standardize climate resilient restoration practices across the territory.