The Kyiv Initiative brought together five countries at the south-eastern edge of Europe - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The aim was to work with each other, in an era of post Soviet transition, to create democratic and engaged societies and rebuild trust and confidence across the region.

The programme focused on five themes that both united and characterised the participating countries – heritage management, wine culture and tourism exchange, film, the shaping of cultural policy and literature. Through a series of projects designed to encourage cross-border collaboration, the Kyiv Initiative enabled the sharing of expertise and the development of competence and skills in both towns and the countryside.

Each project promoted co-operation between national and local government and the public and private sector, while at the same time offering opportunities to draw upon the experience and practical knowledge of experts from other European countries. Public involvement and benefit was a key component, wherever possible.

 

 Main activities

The Kyiv Initiative aimed to show the added value of co-ordinated and inter-disciplinary planning across a range of key functions, including heritage and environmental protection, tourism, cultural development, education and economic development. The result was a kaleidoscope of activity including vineyards and winemaking, contemporary and archival film, and the restoration of historic town centres.

Pilot Project on the Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage in Historic Towns

Pilot Project on the Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage in Historic Towns

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine explored together new patterns for local development, aimed at improving the welfare and the urban quality of life of citizens within the framework of the "Pilot Project on the Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage in Historic Towns" jointly implemented by the Council of Europe and the European Commission from 2009 to 2012.
Wine Culture Tourism Exchange (WCTE)

Wine Culture Tourism Exchange (WCTE)

Wine has played a significant role in the development of civilisation. Places of worship, learning, cultural and commercial exchange have, for thousands of years, been linked to the agricultural exploitation of the vine. Many of the vine/cultural routes spanning across Europe are hundreds of years older than the state borders that exist today. The WCTE project aimed to bring these routes back to life using innovative approaches to cultural cooperation, thus creating an "intercultural" European heritage.

Cross-Border Cinema Culture (CBCC)

Cross-Border Cinema Culture (CBCC)

The Cross-Border Cinema Culture (CBCC) is was pilot project within the Kyiv Initiative carried out in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. It helped countries update their cultural policies and legislation affecting the film industry and provides targeted professional training.