Ireland's Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme was one of the five winners of a Grand Prix award at the recent 2024 European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards ceremony in Romania.

The scheme, which is run by the Heritage Council and the Department of Agriculture and part-funded by the EU, won the award in the Education, Training and Skills category.

Its aim is to help farmers recognise the cultural value of traditional farm buildings and to support them in acquiring the skills needed to return these buildings to functional use.

The five Grand Prix winners of Europe's highest heritage accolade were selected by the Board of Europa Nostra based on the recommendation of an independent jury of experts and will each receive a monetary award of €10,000. 

The Grand Prix winners were selected from among this year’s 26 winners from 18 European countries by the Board of Europa Nostra, based on the recommendation of an independent jury of experts. 

The five laureates of the Grand Prix 2024 are:

• Citizens’ Rehabilitation of the Tsiskarauli Tower, Akhieli, GEORGIA. Grand Prix winner in category Citizens’ Engagement & Awareness-raising. Over three years, 46 Georgian and international citizens worked alongside technical experts and traditional craftspeople to restore the Tsiskarauli Tower. The project raised awareness of the value of Georgian heritage within Europe’s heritage. The International National Trusts Organisation (INTO) was the lead partner, working in close collaboration with the National Trust of Georgia, REMPART (France) and the Chudow Castle Foundation (Poland). The project was supported by a grant from ALIPH – the International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas.
• Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme, IRELAND. Grand Prix winner in category Education, Training & Skills. The main objective of this nationwide scheme is to help farmers recognise the cultural value of traditional farm buildings. Participants are supported in acquiring skills to enable them to carry out repairs to return the buildings to functional use. Over 1,000 buildings have been repaired since the creation of the scheme in 2008. Established by The Heritage Council in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine of the Government of Ireland, the scheme is co-funded by the Irish government and the European Union under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme.
• Saxon Church in Alma Vii, ROMANIA. Grand Prix winner in category Conservation & Adaptive Reuse. This project restored a cultural landmark that symbolises centuries of history and craftsmanship in the picturesque village of Alma Vii in Transylvania. The comprehensive restoration not only preserved the church’s architectural and historical integrity but also empowered the local community and fostered sustainable tourism development. The project, supported by the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation and the EEA Grants, was coordinated by Mihai Eminescu Trust.
• Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities, CROATIA. Grand Prix winner in category Heritage Champions. This civil society association has financed and completed research and conservation projects of Dubrovnik’s landmarks, including the City’s Walls, since 1952. The Society was closely involved with the inclusion of the Old City of Dubrovnik on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Ever since, it has played a vital role in ensuring the safeguarding and enhancement of this exceptional site.
• Ignacy Historic Mine, Rybnik, POLAND. Grand Prix winner in category Conservation & Adaptive Reuse. This is a unique renovation project on the site of a former coal mine, one of the oldest in Poland, which was founded in 1792 and was in operation for over 200 years. Thanks to the efforts of the former miners, the City of Rybnik, the Polish state and EU funds, the complex has been saved and adapted to new functions as a cultural and recreational centre. 

The remarkable rehabilitation of the Saxon Church in Alma Vii in ROMANIA is the big winner of 2024: it received a Grand Prix and the Public Choice Award 2024. This impressive initiative raised the largest number of votes, cast via an online poll with the participation of some 10,000 citizens from all over Europe.

Iliana Ivanova, European commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth, said: “Cultural heritage is the foundation of Europe’s identity and diversity. I warmly congratulate the winners of the 2024 European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards on their extraordinary achievements.

"They are a testament to the power of heritage to inspire innovation, foster community engagement and support sustainable development across our continent. These projects showcase the importance of safeguarding our shared cultural legacy while adapting it to the challenges of the future, for the benefit of future generations.”

Prof Dr Hermann Parzinger, executive president of Europa Nostra, said: “I am delighted to be in Bucharest for this evening of celebration of the best heritage projects and the most inspiring heritage champions – both individuals and organisations – from across Europe.

"The winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2024 vividly showcase the multiple values of heritage for Europe’s society, environment and economy.

"Cultural heritage is a precious resource that must be carefully managed, so that we can reap its many benefits, for both present and future generations. My heartfelt congratulations to all the winners, particularly to the laureates of the Grand Prix and the winner of the Public Choice Award.”

The Call for Entries for the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2025 is now open. Applications can be submitted online via www.europeanheritageawards.eu by 20 November 2024.