What are the International Private Committees for the Safeguarding of Venice?

In response to the appeal launched by the Director General of UNESCO in 1966, over 50 private organisations were established in a number of countries to collect and channel contributions to restore and preserve Venice.

Over the years, the International Private Committees have worked closely with the Superintendencies of Monuments and Galleries of Venice, through UNESCO, to identify and address priority needs.

Since 1969, they have funded the restoration of more than 100 monuments and 1,000 works of art, provided laboratory equipment and scientific expertise, sponsored research and publications and awarded innumerable grants for craftsmen, restorers and conservators to attend specialist courses in Venice.

Thirty-three years on, the Association of Private Committees has 29 member organisations representing 11 countries (3 new Committees, based respectively in Denmark, the USA and Italy, joined in 1999). Since 1997 the Association has enjoyed special relationship status as an N.G.O in operational relations with UNESCO. The budget for the 5-year period 1996-2000 is well in excess of Lit.10 billion (about £3 million) , a sum which includes the funding of around 150 restoration and maintenance projects, the provision of over 25 bursaries and substantial contributions to the cost of the 1997 and 1999 ICCROM-UNESCO International Courses on the Conservation of Stone.

1999-2000 saw Committees from Sweden, Australia, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, The United Kingdom, four from the USA and eight from Italy actively engaged in over 80 restoration projects.