Amman, Feb 8 (Petra) – The Petra National Trust (PNT) on Sunday launched the 2026 Heritage Award in the presence of HH Princess Dana Firas, president of the trust and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, and European Union Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas.

The launch is part of the PNT's continued commitment to protecting cultural heritage and supporting innovative projects that help safeguard tangible and intangible heritage. It builds on the success of the award’s 2024 and 2025 editions, which honored outstanding efforts in preserving cultural heritage in Jordan.

This year, the scope of the award has been expanded to include Palestine and Syria, opening wider prospects for supporting impactful initiatives in the region.

Organized in partnership with the EU Delegation to Jordan, the Jordan Kuwait Bank, the Quds Bank, and Said Samih Darwazah, the award aims to raise public awareness of the importance of heritage and encourage excellence and professionalism in cultural work.

Speaking at a press conference, Princess Dana stressed the importance of cultural heritage, noting its link to identity, the economy, social cohesion, and communities’ ability to adapt. She highlighted Jordan’s efforts to preserve heritage.

She praised the role of the EU Delegation in Jordan, which was the PNT's first partner in the award project launched in 2024. She noted that the first edition in 2024 included one category and received 40 applications, while the second edition in 2025 received around 150 applications across four categories. This year, the award has expanded to include Palestine and Syria.

The princess expressed appreciation to the partners who enabled the trust to broaden the award’s scope and increase its categories, voicing hope for further regional expansion next year.

She said the 2026 award includes four main categories: Conservation and Adaptation in Cultural Heritage, honoring restoration and sustainable reuse projects; Research and Innovation, recognizing research initiatives and innovative solutions in heritage protection; Community Engagement and Social Inclusion, highlighting projects that strengthen local communities and support social cohesion; and Climate Change and Cultural Heritage, honoring projects that balance heritage protection with addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.

She explained that the winner in each category will receive a financial prize of JD10,000 in recognition of excellence in heritage preservation and to enhance the impact of cultural initiatives. Projects will be evaluated by a specialized panel of experts from Jordan, Palestine, and Syria.

The award is based on key criteria, including relevance to its objectives, proven or expected impact on safeguarding cultural heritage in its various forms, level of innovation in addressing contemporary challenges, long-term sustainability, degree of active community participation, and ability to enhance inclusive social cohesion.

She added that a jury committee, formed from the PNT, the EU Delegation, and all supporting partners, will select one winner in each category from a shortlist of three projects per category submitted by the expert panel.

Princess Dana said, "The Heritage Award represents a solid platform for honoring excellence in safeguarding our cultural heritage. It reflects our deep belief that heritage is not only the memory of the past but also an active force in building identity, strengthening social cohesion, and shaping a more sustainable future."

She added that expanding the award to include Palestine and Syria reflects a commitment to supporting initiatives emerging from local communities in the region. She called on individuals and institutions working in heritage to apply and contribute their projects to help protect shared heritage for future generations.

For his part, Chatzisavas said EU-Jordan relations are very strong, built on ties between governments and peoples, and are growing through trade, cultural exchange, and education.

"The European Union is proud to support the Heritage Award as an initiative that embodies our shared values of sustainability, inclusion, innovation, and empowering local communities," he said.

He noted that cultural heritage plays a central role in promoting dialogue, building resilience, and supporting sustainable development. He said expanding the award to Palestine and Syria reflects the EU Delegation’s commitment to protecting shared heritage and strengthening regional cooperation through culture.

Chatzisavas commended Princess Dana’s efforts in heritage and intercultural dialogue, saying this year’s award helps highlight Jordan and its role in this field.

Applications for the award opened on Jan. 18, with a deadline of Feb. 28. The awards ceremony will be held on June 4.

Applications can be submitted through the website: [https://pntheritageaward.petranationaltrust.org/].

//Petra// AF

08/02/2026 21:28:53