Venice hosts the only UNESCO Center in Europe: the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (BRESCE), which promotes cultural and scientific cooperation in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Ever since 1988, its premises are located in Palazzo Zorzi, which was designed by architect Mauro Codussi around 1480.
Its main fields of work are environmental sciences, culture, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue.
Its programmes and initiatives aim at promoting international cooperation in its geographical zone of competence in the fields of scientific research, training and exchanges between member States as well as improving policies for managing human and cultural resources in order to foster sustainable development.
The UNESCO Venice Office provides technical assistance to the integrated management of natural and cultural resources, namely UNESCO sites ; hydrological resources and climate change ; managing natural and anthropic hazards ; safeguarding tangible and intangible cultural heritage; fighting against the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage; promoting the diversity of cultural expressions. Its activities are in line with the objectives of the United Nations 2030 Development Agenda.
The UNESCO Venice Office works in close cooperation with an office in Sarajevo, Bosnia. It also hosts a unit of the UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (COI).
