Approved in Parliament: Owners of historical monuments can get money from National Culture Fund

Owners of historical monuments will be able to receive money from the National Culture Fund for restoration, conservation, and rehabilitation works. Parliament has adopted a draft law in the second reading.

The document was developed by the Ministry of Culture and stipulates that both individuals and legal entities who own or manage monuments will be able to request co-financing for the development of intervention projects, as well as for the actual restoration and conservation works.

According to the new provisions, the Fund will also cover expenses for feasibility studies, design, research, digitization, promotion, and the establishment of monument protection zones.

Additionally, the draft law expands the eligible beneficiary categories of the National Culture Fund to include, besides cultural organizations and creative individuals, holders of immovable properties located on monument sites or monument ensembles.

The legislative amendments also concern the composition of the Council of the institution managing the Fund, by including two new members: one representative from the Cultural Heritage Institute and one from a professional association in the field of monument protection. Furthermore, the fund's sources of formation are expanded to include payments made as compensation for damages caused to cultural heritage.