At the Educational Campus of St. John’s Fortress in Šibenik, the second three-day workshop within the GIFTSnet project, titled “Sustainable Reuse of Cultural Heritage Infrastructure”, was held from 23 to 25 March 2026, organized by the Department for International Cooperation and Projects of the Public Cultural Institution Fortress of Culture Šibenik.
Continuation of the educational cycle
The workshop brought together experts and representatives of the public, cultural, tourism and civil sectors from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, with the aim of continuing the educational cycle initiated by the first workshop, “Sustainable Management of Events and Tourist Destinations”, held in October 2025, which addressed topics such as sustainable event planning, destination management, and the introduction of green practices in the cultural and tourism sector.
Focus on infrastructure and practical tools
The second workshop built upon these foundations and further developed them through a focus on infrastructural and operational aspects of sustainability in cultural heritage. The programme covered green public procurement in cultural institutions, including the preparation of tenders based on sustainable criteria, as well as the measurement and interpretation of the carbon footprint of cultural sites, and planning for energy efficiency and the renovation of heritage buildings. Through practical work, analysis of concrete examples, and exchange of experiences, participants developed knowledge and tools necessary for implementing sustainable solutions in their own environments.
On the second day, the workshop included a guided tour of the historic city centre of Šibenik, allowing participants to connect theoretical concepts with real-life examples and explore the application of sustainable principles in practice.
International participation and exchange of experiences
The workshop gathered participants from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Participants from Croatia included representatives of the Public Cultural Institution Fortress of Culture Šibenik, the City of Karlovac, Sports Facilities Karlovac, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, and the Homeland Museum Ozalj. Participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina included representatives of the City of Banja Luka, the Tourist Organization of the City of Banja Luka, the Museum of Republika Srpska, the Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage, the Museum of Herzegovina Trebinje, the Tourist Organization of the City of Trebinje, the TREDEA Development Agency, and the civil society organization CORIE. Participants from Montenegro included representatives of the Municipality of Bar and the Municipality of Ulcinj, as well as representatives of the NGO sector, tourist guides, and private companies in the fields of tourism and culture.
The workshop was led by Laura Orlić, an expert with extensive international experience in organisational development and sustainable practices in the cultural and business sectors, who guided participants through interactive methods focused on applying knowledge through practical tasks and real-life scenarios. The implementation of this workshop further strengthened international cooperation and laid the groundwork for the continued application of green policies and sustainable practices in cultural heritage management.
Education through the GIFTSnet project
The workshop was organised as part of the GIFTSnet project – Network for Green and Inclusive Fortified Tourism Solutions, funded under the Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021–2027 programme. Educational workshops such as this are part of project activities aimed at strengthening the capacities of cultural institutions and stakeholders in the field of sustainable cultural heritage and tourism management.
The GIFTSnet project connects partners from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro in developing sustainable models for managing cultural heritage and tourism. The project lasts 30 months, from 15 September 2024 to 14 March 2027, with a total budget of EUR 2,244,442.80. Alongside the Public Cultural Institution Fortress of Culture Šibenik as the lead partner, the project includes the City of Banja Luka and the Museum of Herzegovina Trebinje from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the City of Karlovac from Croatia, and the Municipalities of Bar and Ulcinj from Montenegro.
This publication has been produced with the support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Public Cultural Institution Fortress of Culture Šibenik and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
