Albania is planning new rules for the administration, maintenance and restoration of museums, cultural monuments and other heritage sites. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has opened public consultation on amendments to the law on cultural heritage and museums.

The draft aims to strengthen protection and sustainable management while aligning national legislation with international standards and Albania’s European Union integration commitments. It also introduces a Heritage Impact Assessment to examine how plans, programmes, projects and interventions could affect cultural assets and their protected values.

The proposed changes would clarify procedures, institutional responsibilities and deadlines for identifying, verifying, declaring and registering cultural assets. They would also establish more detailed rules for maintaining and restoring immovable heritage, carrying out urgent conservation work and adapting sites for new uses while preserving their authenticity and cultural value.

A key innovation is the possibility of financial support for heritage assets outside public ownership. Owners and administrators could receive grants, co-financing or in-kind contributions to cover documentation, studies, design, works, supervision and certification.

The draft also addresses the import, export, circulation and return of illegally removed cultural property. In addition, it proposes aligning the definition of a museum with International Council of Museums standards and strengthening the technical and administrative role of Regional Directorates of Cultural Heritage in protecting and managing heritage assets in their territories.

/a.p./