2025 Heritage Award

2025 Heritage Award

For the second consecutive year, the Petra National Trust, in partnership with the European Union Delegation to Jordan, the Jordan Kuwait Bank, and Saeed Samih Darwazeh, celebrated the winners of the 2025 Heritage Award, which was launched under the patronage of HRH Princess Dana Firas, President of the Trust and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage.

The Heritage Award aims to identify, promote, and support best practices in heritage conservation, as well as innovative initiatives that enhance the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage. This year's award includes four main categories, each focusing on a unique aspect of cultural heritage conservation and innovation:

1. Conservation and Adaptation in the Field of Cultural Heritage

2. Research and Innovation

3. Community Engagement and Inclusion

4. Climate Change and Cultural Heritage

This honoring is the culmination of distinguished efforts and initiatives in preserving Jordanian cultural heritage and promoting community awareness and creativity in this vital field. A ceremony was held to honor four winners, each receiving a cash prize of 10,000 Jordanian dinars, in addition to an official certificate of appreciation and a shield designed by Katia Al-Tal, reflecting the symbolism of the award.

The ceremony, held at the Odeon Theater in downtown Amman on Monday, October 6, 2025, was attended by a number of Their Highnesses, Excellencies, and high-ranking national and diplomatic figures.

Approximately 140 applications were received from projects and initiatives from across the Kingdom, reflecting a rich diversity of interests and approaches, from documenting oral heritage and reviving traditional crafts to rehabilitating historic buildings and creative youth initiatives. The evaluation process was conducted by a specialized committee, and the winners were then selected by an independent jury.

This year's award included four main categories, focusing on various aspects of heritage conservation and innovation:

• Conservation and Adaptation in Cultural Heritage, won by:

• Research and Innovation, won by:

• Community Engagement and Integration, won by:

• Climate Change and Cultural Heritage, won by:

In her opening remarks, Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas emphasized: "We all know that our heritage today faces significant challenges such as climate change, urban sprawl, and others. But we also know that within these challenges lie opportunities. Protecting heritage is an investment in sustainable development, education, confronting climate change, the resilience of communities, and the dignity of future generations."

His Excellency Dr. Imad Hijazin, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, emphasized that this cooperation represents a qualitative addition to national efforts to protect heritage sites and enhance their role in tourism and economic development.

For their part, His Excellency Mr. Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, Ambassador of the European Union to Jordan, and Her Excellency Ms. Anna Pires, Head of the Middle East Unit at the European Commission, emphasized the depth of the partnership between the European Union and the Petra National Trust, noting that supporting such initiatives reflects the EU's commitment to contributing to the protection of world heritage and promoting sustainable development in Jordan.

Mr. Haitham Batikhi, CEO of Jordan Kuwait Bank, commented, "We are proud to be part of this initiative. Corporate social responsibility is reflected in supporting projects that preserve our heritage and enhance national identity."

Mr. Karim Makhlouf, representing His Excellency Mr. Said Darwazeh, expressed his pride in participating in this national effort, stressing that investing in protecting cultural heritage is an investment in the future and contributes to strengthening Jordan's position as a global cultural and tourist destination.

This award affirms the Society's national role in protecting Jordan's cultural heritage and promoting its preservation as a fundamental element of the national identity. It is also a recognition of community and individual efforts in this field. PNT is a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1989 as a pioneering organization dedicated to preserving and conserving cultural heritage.

Upon its founding, the Society's efforts focused on the World Heritage Site of Petra. Three decades later, it has become a distinguished regional center aimed at protecting cultural heritage and providing the best solutions and services related to it throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas, Chair of the Board of Directors of the PNT and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, oversees the implementation of the association's mission and the realization of its vision.

To view the event's full album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/201000174@N08/54843337933/in/dateposted-public/