Legal Boundaries of Cultural Heritage in Kosovo

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, “ensuring the preservation and protection of cultural and religious heritage” belongs to the institutions in Kosovo. Furthermore, with the approval of the National Cultural Heritage Strategy 2017-2027 in December 2016, the government presented a strategic document for the protection, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. This strategy has a broad and comprehensive approach to cultural heritage, linking it with the UN’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as taking into account the European Union’s recommendations on the assessment of risk factors for cultural heritage, thereby aligning with UNESCO’s approach.

Through the implementation of this work, the necessary standards for modern heritage management of institutions in Kosovo will be ensured. In this way, this strategy represents the first comprehensive policy document prepared through an extensive consultation process, in line with leading international standards, and serves as a building block for cultural heritage institutions. The strategy, which incorporates relevant international standards and good practices, also envisages the recognition of the rights and privileges granted to the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo.

It also defines cultural heritage as an absolute pillar of sustainable development and envisages its implementation on the basis of five main goals.

National Cultural Heritage Strategy 2017 – 2027

• Objective 1: Improving the legal and institutional framework
• Objective 2: Integrated approach of cultural heritage towards sustainable development
• Objective 3: Inclusion of cultural heritage in development plans
• Objective 4: Promotion of cultural heritage
• Objective 5: Education, training and active participation in the protection of cultural heritage