As part of their ‘Inclusive European Heritage Residency 2026’ programme, Europa Nostra and INTO – the International National Trusts Organisation – are looking to select c.10 heritage professionals to gather in Malta to exchange best practices, discuss key challenges, and explore strategies for building strong and resilient heritage organisations.
Europa Nostra writes:
Focusing on Building Strong Heritage Organisations, this practical Residency is targeted at professionals and leaders of small or medium-sized heritage organisations who want to strengthen their growth and sustainability. It is designed to support organisations looking to reinforce their capacity, enhance financial sustainability, improve governance, engage volunteers, increase visibility and effectively manage small heritage sites or natural areas. Both cultural and environmental organisations are welcome.
The Residency’s programme will offer a rich mix of case studies, practical sessions, site visits and peer learnings. Din l-Art ?elwa, a non-governmental and non-profit voluntary organisation founded in 1965 to safeguard Malta’s cultural and natural heritage, is featured as the key case study. It operates with a very small staff team, supported by a large group of committed volunteers, and manages a wide range of properties, including coastal towers, historic gardens, chapels and natural sites. Many of these sites are open to visitors thanks to volunteer support.
The Inclusive European Heritage Residency 2026 is organised in the frame of the network project Europa Nostra Heritage Agora, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. The 2025 edition of the Residency, hosted at the historic Hardwick Hall estate in central England, explored inclusive, sustainable and community-driven approaches to heritage. Read the INTO article ‘Reimagining Heritage: A week at Hardwick’ and/or watch the video testimonials conveying the shared experience of both the participants and the organisers of the Residency in England.
‘This week of sharing, of discovering, of laughing will last long in my memories and strengthen my desire to dedicate myself to heritage, and especially European heritage, as it seems we actually all share a lot of histories, know how, roots, etc.’, commented Mathilde Rubinstein, Deputy Director at La Citadelle de Marseille, who joined the Residency 2025.
- To learn more about the Inclusive European Heritage Residency 2026 and the rules to apply, please read the Call for Applications.
- Applications must be submitted by 15 May 2026.
- In case of any questions regarding the Residency or the selection procedure, please contact Liola Urso (lu@europanostra.org).
