German-Czech Future Fund Supports 161 Renovation Projects

The German-Czech Future Fund has announced €1.5 million in funding for 161 new projects. These initiatives aim to preserve cultural heritage and strengthen ties between younger generations in both countries. A key focus lies on restoring sacred sites and fostering dialogue around shared history.

The fund, led by an administrative board chaired by Rita Hagl-Kehl and Jindřich Fryč, supports efforts ranging from monument restoration to educational exchanges. Among the highlights are a student programme on wartime remembrance and a documentary exploring Prague’s interwar cultural scene.

A total of 30 historic monuments will receive approximately €480,000 for restoration. These include 18 churches, 2 synagogues, 6 German cemeteries, and 4 Jewish cemeteries. The projects reflect the fund’s commitment to preserving sites shaped by German and Jewish communities in the Bohemian lands.

In Kerhartice, eight gravestones and the main cross at the German cemetery will be repaired. The site serves as a gathering place for local events and German-Czech exchanges. Meanwhile, the Protestant church in Rudník will undergo restoration, with the municipality working alongside descendants of former German residents. Beyond physical preservation, the fund backs initiatives that engage younger generations. A student exchange between Neckargemünd and Jindřichův Hradec will examine the theme *‘Never again! – 80 Years Since the End of the War’*. Additionally, a German-Czech TV documentary, *‘The Invisible Wall’*, will explore Prague’s vibrant cultural life between the world wars. The fund’s broader mission includes supporting a generational shift in heritage preservation. Newer community-led projects are now playing a larger role in maintaining these shared historical spaces.

The latest funding round reinforces the German-Czech Future Fund’s role in safeguarding cultural landmarks. Restored sites like cemeteries and churches will continue to serve as bridges between communities. Educational and media projects will further deepen understanding of the region’s intertwined past.