International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar
Founded in 2007, the International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar (ICUA Zadar) operates as an independent public institution. By 2009, it had gained separate legal entity status and was recognized as a UNESCO Category 2 Centre.
Among the 25 UNESCO Category 2 Centres within the culture sector, ICUA Zadar is uniquely focused on the protection of underwater cultural heritage.
The management is conducted and funding provided by the Ministry of Culture and Media.
The Centre prioritizes education related to the exploration, conservation, restoration, and presentation of underwater cultural heritage.
ICUA’s staff conducts trainings for archaeologists and conservation specialists, nationally and internationally, practically and theoretically, and delivers underwater sciences field school and diving courses. The Centre is tasked with the mission of developing international cooperation related to scientific research with UNESCO member countries and other countries concluding and implementing bilateral agreements and to stage international scientific conferences, symposia, workshops and other meetings.
Under the mandate of the agreement between UNESCO and the Croatian Government, ICUA Zadar actively engages in local and public partnerships. These initiatives aim to raise public awareness about the significance of underwater cultural heritage protection and to increase the visibility of the Centre among the general public.
Since 2018 ICUA Zadar is an associate member of the UNITWIN Network for Underwater Archaeology Cooperation Programme created in the framework of UNESCO Chairs Programme.