The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).  Following the worldwide competition, two grants are awarded to the Impact Foundation and the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) to support the restoration of the south wing of the Kaiser Mahal Palace and the Char Narayan Temple at Patan Durbar Square, respectively.

According to a press release issued by The U.S. Embassy in Nepal, trough the AFCP, the U.S. Embassy will provide $400,000 to the Impact Foundation for the conservation and restoration of the earthquake damaged south wing of the Kaiser Mahal Palace in Kathmandu.  The project will stabilize, seismically strengthen, and support urgent restoration work needed to repair the neo-classical Rana style building built in 1895. 

The second AFCP-funded project for this year will provide $100,000 to support the restoration of the historic Malla-period Char Narayan Temple at the Patan Royal Palace in Lalitpur.  As part of the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust’s (KVPT) five-year earthquake response campaign, the project will restore one of the most important structures in Nepal’s significant historic ensemble, using the highest international standards and integrating seismic strengthening.

“As we celebrate the 70th year of diplomatic relations between our two countries, this support to preserving Nepal’s cultural heritage demonstrates the United States’ enduring friendship with Nepal” said Chargé d’Affaires Michael Gonzales.  “The United States is committed to protecting Nepal’s unique and irreplaceable cultural heritage.  The restoration of buildings like Gaddi Baithak, which began in September 2016 through U.S. support, and the Kaiser Library is key to preserving historically significant neo-classical buildings damaged by the 2015 earthquakes.” 

Established by the U.S. Congress and administered by the Department of State, the AFCP has supported the preservation of cultural sites, cultural objects and forms of traditional cultural expression since 2001.  Since its inception, the AFCP has demonstrated America’s respect for the cultural heritage of other countries by supporting over 800 projects in more than 125 countries.  In Nepal, the AFCP has supported twenty-two projects through $3.4 million in U.S. government grant funding.

Kathmandu-based Impact Foundation played a key role in the implementation and documentation of the Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple and Medieval Residence Conservation Projects completed successfully in 2016.

The Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) is the only international organization exclusively dedicated to safeguarding the architectural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. KVPT has restored more than 50 historic buildings throughout the Kathmandu Valley, including temples, palaces, and monasteries.