PNT-EU Heritage Award-Press Conference
Building on the success of the Award’s 2024 and 2025 editions, which recognized outstanding efforts in the field of cultural heritage preservation in Jordan, this year marks a significant milestone with the expansion of the Award to include Palestine and Syria. This expansion opens broader opportunities to support impactful, community-driven initiatives across the region.
The PNT Heritage Award is organized in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Jordan, the Jordan Kuwait Bank, Quds Bank, and Said Samih Darwazeh. The Award aims to promote best practices in the safeguarding of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, raise public awareness of the importance of heritage, and encourage excellence and professionalism in cultural work.
The 2026 PNT Heritage Award comprises four main categories: Conservation and Adaptive Reuse of Cultural Heritage, which recognizes restoration projects and the sustainable reuse of heritage sites; Research and Innovation, which celebrates research initiatives and innovative solutions in heritage preservation; Community Engagement and Social Inclusion, which highlights projects that strengthen the role of local communities and promote social cohesion; and Climate Change and Cultural Heritage, which honors projects that integrate heritage protection with responses to climate change and environmental sustainability. Winners in each category will receive JOD 10,000 in recognition of excellence in heritage preservation and the cultural impact of their initiatives.
Submitted projects will be evaluated by a specialized committee composed of members from Jordan, Palestine, and Syria, based on a set of key criteria, including their relevance to the Award’s objectives, the demonstrated or anticipated impact on safeguarding cultural heritage in its various forms, the level of innovation in addressing contemporary challenges, long-term sustainability, and the degree of meaningful community participation and contribution to inclusivity and social cohesion.
Commenting on the Award, Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas stated: “The PNT Heritage Award represents an established platform for recognizing excellence in safeguarding our cultural heritage and reflects our deep belief that heritage is not merely a memory of the past, but a dynamic force in shaping identity, strengthening social cohesion, and building a more sustainable future. Expanding the Award to include Palestine and Syria reflects our commitment to supporting initiatives rooted in local communities across the region. I invite all individuals and institutions working in the field of heritage to apply and share their projects, contributing to the protection and promotion of our shared heritage for the benefit of future generations.”
For his part, H.E. Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, Ambassador of the European Union, stated: “The European Union is proud to support the PNT Heritage Award as an initiative that embodies our shared values of sustainability, inclusion, innovation, and community empowerment. Cultural heritage plays a vital role in fostering dialogue, resilience, and sustainable development. By extending the Award to Palestine and Syria, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting our shared heritage and to strengthening regional cooperation through culture.”
Applications for the PNT Heritage Award 2026 opened on 18 January 2026, with the submission deadline set for 28 February 2026. The Award Ceremony will take place on 4 June 2026.
Applications for the PNT Heritage Award 2026 can be submitted through the following website:
https://pntheritageaward.petranationaltrust.org/