Introduction:

A grant of 3,97,790 Euros for implementation of a 30 month project called, “Cultural Heritage & Management Venture Lab” in Ahmedabad was awarded by the European Commission in December 2013 to Centre for Heritage Management (CHM), Ahmedabad University in partnership with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation,  City Council of Valladolid, University of Valladolid and Casa de la India, Spain.

This is the first of its kind project that has global partners joining hands with Centre for Heritage Management, Ahmedabad University to impart knowledge, skills through training and mentoring to selected cultural actors for the development of a dynamic cultural cluster contributing to economic growth and sustainable development.
The prestigious project has seen the project partners competing with 1100 proposal presented to the European Commission for the said grant. The project was kicked off on February 10, 2014, at the AMC Conference Hall at Usmanpura, Ahmedabad with representatives from the major partners present at the Venue.

Objectives of the project:

To strengthen capacities of cultural agents and facilitate an environment for creativity, innovation, professionalization and entrepreneurship in cultural heritage and management in order to allow the people of Gujarat to fully benefit from the potential of cultural heritage as an economic value.

Create awareness amongst local communities about business initiatives in cultural heritage through setting up of a mentoring and incubation programme on cultural business activities.

Encourage access to the professional market and to regional, national and international public private networks promoting sustainable development and economic value of cultural heritage

The two major entities that have been set up as part of this project are:

Ahmedabad Cultural Heritage Cluster (ACHC)

ACHC is a registered Public Trust cum Society, an initiative by seven institutions of Ahmedabad namely:

• Centre for Heritage Management, Ahmedabad University
• Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
• Urban Management Centre
• City Heritage Centre
• SEWA Federation
• The House of MG
• Centre for Environment Education

ACHC aims to provide a common platform for people to interact within a wide network and share ideas with public and private stake holders at national, regional and local levels, with public bodies, research centres, Universities and local companies.

Ahmedabad Heritage Venture Lab (AHVL)
AHVL is a venture lab of ACHC Trust set up to incubate and mentor innovative, new and economically sustainable ventures in the heritage sector. The AHVL is presently jointly managed by CHM and Venture Studio of Ahmedabad University.

Project Partners LOGOS

• Centre for Heritage Management, Ahmedabad University
• Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
• Casa de la India
• University of Valladolid, Spain
• Valladolid City Council

Associate Partners:
India

• City Heritage Centre
• Urban Management Centre

Spain

• EVoCH
• CLEARCAL