Mattei Plan: Italian museums host training for African heritage

Mattei Plan: Italian museums launch training for heritage professionals from Africa

The International School of Cultural Heritage has started its residential phase. Promoted by the Ministry of Culture and the National School of Heritage, the program — part of the Mattei Plan for Africa — focuses on building technical and managerial skills for heritage professionals from Africa and the Mediterranean area.

Participants and goals

Who: museum directors, officers, curators, conservators, librarians and archivists from 12 African nations. The aim is to foster shared approaches to collections care, curatorial research and public engagement while strengthening institutional cooperation.

Program and host institutions

Following an online phase and an intensive in-person week in Rome (20–24 April 2026), participants will be hosted for about one month across six Italian museums to work on collections, curatorial projects and public activities.

• Museo delle Civiltà (MUCIV)
• Museums and Archaeological Parks of Praeneste and Gabii
• National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (MArTA)
• National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN)
• National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria (MArRC)
• National Archaeological Museum of Agro Falisco and Forte Sangallo, Civita Castellana

Institutional aims

The initiative reinforces cultural diplomacy as a means to build trust and long-term institutional relationships. The participating Italian museums contribute technical expertise and project experience to support preservation, access and the shared valorisation of cultural heritage.

Closing event

The program will conclude with a final meeting on 22 May 2026 in Rome at the Ministry of Culture, where outcomes, collaborative projects and future cooperation pathways will be presented.

Practical information

• Key period of the residential program: 20 April – 22 May 2026 (in-person week and site-based museum activities).
• Participants: selected heritage professionals from 12 African countries.
• Main focus: hands-on training on collections, conservation and joint cultural programming.