Office of International relations, Cooperation and UNESCO

The Service for International relations, Cooperation and UNESCO has two main focus areas

1) supporting international activities and events for the City of Venice;

2) coordinating the management of the UNESCO site “Venice and its Lagoon.”

Under City Council Resolution 243 12/18/2024, the Service for International relations, Cooperation and UNESCO:

• Performs the activities related to International policies, observing the Mayor's political guidelines;

• Drafts and oversees Collaboration and Twinning Agreements.

• Programs and organizes international events and meetings;

• Maintains relations with the thematic networks that facilitate international exchanges, in collaboration with the departments engaged in related issue areas;

• Coordinates the drafting, monitoring, and updating of the Management Plan for the UNESCO Site "Venice and its Lagoon", as well as of its Action Plans and Projects;

• Coordinates the Site’s Steering Committee;

• Monitors and periodically produces Reports on the Site's State of Conservation, in concert with the Steering Committee and the MiC (Ministry of Culture);

• Participates in UNESCO Site networks at the regional, national and international level;

• Collaborates with other departments in the design and implementation of transversal projects aimed at improving the protection, enhancement, promotion, and communication of the UNESCO Site, as well as awareness and education on the Site itself;

• Encourages applications in Calls for Proposals at the national, EU, and international level related to the enhancement, planning, and sustainable management of the territory.

• Supports new UNESCO applications and nominations and their management.

• Maintains liaison with UNESCO while handling relations with connected international bodies, both nationally and internationally.

• Has responsibility for access to credit procedures and individual financing of projects.

• Manages ministerial funds earmarked for the implementation of the interventions and actions that are outlined in the Management Plan and its related Action Plans.

• By participating in national and international conferences and workshops, the Service promotes activities of awareness-raising and dissemination and the exchange of practices.