Youth Forum explores the future of the heritage sector, digital transformation and sustainability
As a pre-event to the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2024, the Youth Forum took place on the afternoon of 5 October at the ARCUB Cultural Center in Bucharest. The Youth Forum brought together 18 passionate students and young professionals in three panel discussions exploring the future of the heritage sector, digital transformation, and sustainability. The event demonstrated the growing influence of youth in the cultural heritage sector to drive meaningful change for the future.
▶️ Attending the Youth Forum, a pre-event of the #EuropeanHeritage Summit in Bucharest: emerging professionals will discuss digital transformation & sustainability of the heritage sector & opportunities for the future. Delighted to engage in fruitful intergenerational exchanges🤝 pic.twitter.com/nAfK5YbMjk
— Europa Nostra (@europanostra) October 5, 2024
The Youth Forum was organised by the European Students’ Association for Cultural Heritage (ESACH) and Europa Nostra in the frame of its network project European Cultural Heritage Agora co-funded by the EU Creative Europe programme. The event received the support of the Romanian NGO “Heritage for the Future” and the National Institute of Heritage.
The Youth Forum was the largest in-person ESACH event co-organised to date, offering a dynamic and crucial platform for the young voices in the sector. With three panels, each featuring specialists and practitioners sharing insights into critical aspects of the field, the forum stressed the growing role of young professionals in shaping the future of cultural heritage.
Panel 1: Opportunities and the Future of the Cultural Heritage Sector
The first panel delved into the evolving landscape of cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of collaboration, intergenerational exchange, and dialogue to create a more resilient and innovative sector. The presentations showcased how emerging professionals bring fresh perspectives to traditional practices, ensuring the sector remains vibrant and inclusive.
Lucia Leca, from Romania’s National Institute of Heritage, presented the CultHeRit model, which promotes inclusivity in the Danube region by making the cultural heritage sector more attractive to young professionals. Her presentation emphasised that nurturing young talent is key to a sustainable future.
Anca Majaru’s presentation on the Heritage of Timișoara initiative showed how youth-led innovation can drive cultural heritage preservation at the local level. The project serves as a model for engaging communities in preserving urban heritage through creative and participatory approaches.
Pravali Vangeti, representing ENCATC and the Climate Heritage Network, offered insights into how education, policy, and practice intersect to shape the future of heritage. She highlighted the importance of fostering educational opportunities that bridge academia and practice.
Volunteering and non-formal education were emphasised by Angelos Kottas, from ESACH, as crucial pathways for youth involvement in the cultural industries, while Măriuca Drăgoi and Mihai Ochetan, from the University of Bucharest, shared examples of how cross-generational collaboration can thrive in educational programs. Also speaking on behalf of ESACH, Elif Aydin engaged the audience by opening a discussion on what words might we use in the future, as part of our heritage.
The first panel’s key takeaway was clear: the future of cultural heritage relies on harnessing the energy and creativity of young professionals, enabling them to collaborate across generations and engage in both formal and informal ways.
Panel 2: Digital Transformation in the Cultural Heritage Sector
The second panel tackled one of the most rapidly evolving areas in the cultural heritage sector: digital transformation. The shift toward digital platforms, open access, and new technologies has dramatically altered how we preserve, engage with, and share heritage.
Giovanni Pescarmona, a digital cultural heritage expert, provided an overview of the EU’s approach to digital cultural heritage, outlining both the opportunities and challenges that come with it. His presentation highlighted the need for continued investment in digital infrastructure to ensure that heritage is accessible to all.
A particularly poignant presentation came from Anna Korcheva of the Museum of Ukrainian Diaspora, who demonstrated how digital innovation is playing a critical role in safeguarding the cultural heritage of displaced communities. As geopolitical tensions threaten physical heritage sites, virtual platforms are increasingly becoming lifelines for preserving intangible cultural memories.
Héctor Manuel Aliaga de Miguel, from UNA Europa, showcased how new technologies can foster broader societal participation in heritage preservation and dissemination. By sharing digital examples, including top-down and bottom-up perspectives, he illustrated how different stakeholders can engage in the protection and recognition of cultural heritage.
Irene Reyes Suero, from ESACH, emphasised the crucial role that youth plays in the digital transformation of the sector. She warned that the future of cultural heritage is tightly linked to the effective use of digital tools, and it is the younger generation that will lead this digital evolution.
Lorenzo Venezia, from ESACH, concluded the panel by showcasing how digital technology is being employed in the fight against illicit art trafficking, an issue of growing concern in the cultural heritage sector.
The overarching message from the second panel was that digital technologies are indispensable for the future of cultural heritage. They not only enhance accessibility but also empower new generations to engage with and protect heritage in innovative and inclusive ways.
Panel 3: Sustainability in the Cultural Heritage Sector
The third and final panel of the forum addressed sustainability in the cultural heritage sector, with a focus on creating long-term, impactful solutions for heritage preservation. Discussions centred on participatory heritage processes, sustainable interventions in built heritage, and youth involvement in decision-making.
Elena Cautis, from the University of Ferrara, presented a case study on Southern Transylvania, where landscape interpretation and future-oriented thinking are driving sustainable heritage practices. Her presentation underscored the importance of balancing conservation efforts with contemporary societal needs.
Manon Richard, from Europa Nostra, introduced the European Heritage Hub, a multi-stakeholder initiative that aims to put cultural heritage at the heart of Europe’s triple transformation: green, digital, and social. She highlighted how young professionals are integral to this process, especially in shaping heritage policies that align with broader sustainability goals. Jasna Popović, from ESACH, spoke about the role of youth within the EU-funded European Heritage Hub pilot project, stressing the need for young voices to be heard at decision-making tables.
Also on behalf of Europa Nostra, Antigoni Michael presented the 7 Most Endangered Programme, underlining how emerging professionals and young graduates are contributing in safeguarding Europe’s most at-risk cultural sites. In the 7 Most Endangered Programme, this is demonstrated by young individuals who nominated a site and took on the responsibility of advocating for and preserving their heritage, often connected with contested narratives about it. Notable examples include Dora Ivanova, who nominated the Buzludzha Monument in Bulgaria, and Oana Chirilă, who nominated the Neptune Baths in Băile Herculane in Romania.
The panel also included practical examples of sustainable heritage interventions, such as Lavinia Cociubei’s account of the Vermeș Fortified Church, where volunteers play a vital role in monument preservation.
Alexandra Mihailciuc, from the Designers Thinkers Makers Association, presented the projects under the Culture & Cultures. Heritage Lab umbrella, structured around three pillars (practical learning, architecture, and content creation) and aimed at educating the general public in heritage topics and empowering young professionals.The message was clear: heritage education matters for all social classes and all ages, being one of the urgent priorities forRomanian society.
This panel’s takeaway was clear: sustainability in cultural heritage requires a collective, participatory approach. Engaging youth and communities in decision-making processes ensures that the sector not only survives but thrives in harmony with the environment.
A Vision for the Future
The Youth Forum in Bucharest demonstrated the growing influence of youth in the cultural heritage sector. From innovative digital tools to sustainable practices, the next generation of heritage guardians is already well equipped with the skills and passion needed to drive meaningful change. Through such initiatives, ESACH, Europa Nostra, and their partners are creating the space for young voices to shape the future of heritage, ensuring that it remains relevant, inclusive, and accessible to all.
As the forum came to an end, it was clear that the participants left with more than just ideas; they carried with them a shared commitment to continue their work, foster new collaborations, and ensure that cultural heritage remains a vital part of Europe’s future.
Outcomes of the Youth Forum will be shared in a booklet currently being prepared by ESACH.
More information
Bucharest Summit: instagram stories